Chris Hadfield
Expedition 34 Crew
Chris Hadfield was born on August 29, 1959 in Sarnia, Canada, as the son of Roger and Eleanor Hadfield.
Hadfield graduated from Milton District High School in 1977 as an Ontario Scholar, before entering Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in mechanical engineering. He started post-graduate research at the University of Waterloo, Ontario in 1982. Hadfield holds a Master’s Degree in Aviation Systems that he received from the University of Tennessee in 1992. Chris Hadfield joined the Canadian Armed Forces in early 1978, spending two years at Royal Roads Military College, in Victoria, British Columbia and another two years at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. He completed basic flight training in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba and was named top pilot in 1980. |
In 1983 he graduated from from Basic Jet Training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, with honors. Hadfield transitioned to fighter pilot training on the CF-5 and CF-18 in 1984 and ’85. From 1985 through ’88, he flew the CF-18 for the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), performing the first CF-18 intercept of a Soviet "Bear" aircraft. Hadfield attended US Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California. After graduating, he served as an exchange officer with the U. S. Navy at Strike Test Directorate. From 1989 to 1992, Hadfield tested the F/A-18 and A-7 aircraft, completed the first military flight of the F/A-18 enhanced performance engines, performed the first flight test of the National Aerospace Plane external burning hydrogen propulsion engine and he supported the F/A-18 out-of-control recovery test program. In addition, he participated in research for NASA supporting pitch control margin simulation and flight testing and he supported the development of a new handling qualities rating scale for high angle-of-attack.
In June 1992, Chris Hadfield was selected as one of four Canadian Astronauts from a total of 5,330 applicants. He reported to NASA’s Johnson Space Flight Center for two years of basic training and evaluations. In addition, he served within the Astronaut Office, supporting technical and safety developments for Shuttle Operations and the development of the glass shuttle cockpit. He also supported Space Shuttle Launches at the Kennedy Space Center and provided mission support for 25 Shuttle Flights serving as the lead CapCom. From 1996 to 2000, Hadfield was the Chief Astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency coordinating CSA astronauts and CSA/NASA operations.
Later, from 2001 through 2003, Hadfield was the Director of Operations for NASA at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Russia. He supported ISS crew training activities in Russia, overseeing the training process and participating in policy negotiation with the Russian Space Program and other International Partners. At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, he trained to become a certified Flight Engineer in the Soyuz TMA spacecraft. In addition, he completed Orlan Spacesuit training to become a certified spacewalker in Russian Spacesuits and from Russian Airlocks. In 2003, Hadfield retired from active military service in the Canadian Air Force after 25 years of military service. From 2003 through 2006, he served as the Chief of Robotics for the NASA Astronaut Office and from 2006 through 2008, he was the Chief of International Space Station Operations, both at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. In addition to his experience in Mission Operations, Hadfield has completed two Space Flights. His first flight was STS-74, launching aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on November 12, 1995 that performed the second docking to the Russian Mir Space Station. The Mission’s primary objective was to attach a 5,000-Kilogram docking module to the Space Station and deliver about 1,000kg of supplies to Mir. The crew returned to Earth after an 8-day mission. In 2001, Hadfield served as Mission Specialist on Mission STS-100. Space Shuttle Endeavour launched on April 19, 2001 to perform a docking with the International Space Station. The crew delivered and installed Canadarm2 to the Space Station. In addition, Endeavour had the Multipurpose Logistics Module in its payload bay to deliver a wealth of internal supplies to the Station. Chris Hadfield performed two Spacewalks to install Canadarm2 and perform other reconfigurations outside the Space Station. The crew returned to Earth on May 1, 2001. In 2007/2009, Hadfield served as backup crew member for Bob Thirsk for ISS Expedition 20 and 21. He trained for a long-duration flight for the Space Station and was re-assigned after the backup crew was not required to fly. Hadfield served in the ISS Operations Branch and developed Emergency procedures for the ISS after his training. |
In May 2010, he was a commander of NEEMO-14 (NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations), living in an underwater facility off the Florida Coast for two weeks to test exploration concepts, simulating exploration missions to the surface of asteroids, moons and Mars.
In September 2010, Hadfield was assigned to ISS Expedition 34/35 starting training for a long-duration mission to ISS. Aboard the Station, he will serve as Expedition 34 Flight Engineer before commanding the complex for Expedition 35.
Chris Hadfield is married to Helene Hadfield (Walter) – they have three children. In his spare time, Chris Hadfield enjoys skiing, playing guitar, singing, riding, writing, running, and playing volleyball and squash.
NASA Interview with Chris Hadfield: Click Here
Follow Chris Hadfield on Twitter
In September 2010, Hadfield was assigned to ISS Expedition 34/35 starting training for a long-duration mission to ISS. Aboard the Station, he will serve as Expedition 34 Flight Engineer before commanding the complex for Expedition 35.
Chris Hadfield is married to Helene Hadfield (Walter) – they have three children. In his spare time, Chris Hadfield enjoys skiing, playing guitar, singing, riding, writing, running, and playing volleyball and squash.
NASA Interview with Chris Hadfield: Click Here
Follow Chris Hadfield on Twitter