Michael J. Massimino

• STS- 109 (2002)
• STS- 125 (2009)

Michael James Massimino ( born August 19, 1962 in Oceanside, New York, United States) is an American astronaut.

Start of career

Massimino graduated in 1980 at the H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square (New York). He first studied at Columbia University in New York and in 1984 he received a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering. He then studied mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His master, he acquired in 1988 and the doctoral degree in 1992.

Then Massimino went as a research engineer at McDonnell Douglas. At the same time he taught mechanical engineering at Rice University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. His research led to two patents.

NASA

He was elected to the 16th astronaut group of NASA in 1996, before he had been applying unsuccessfully for the 15th astronaut group. He was two years trained as a mission specialist, although he had worked since 1987 at the NASA way. He specializes in portable computer for work in space.

In the meantime, he worked at NASA as a speaker connection ( Capcom ).

STS -109

His first flight into space he made from 1 to 12 March 2002 with the Columbia to the Hubble Space Telescope. Thereby maintenance were performed, including the control system and the solar panel is replaced. He made ​​two spacewalks during the mission.

STS -125

Massiminos second mission to the Hubble Space Telescope (STS -125 ) launched on 11 May 2009 aboard the Atlantis. During two spacewalks was reactivated by Massimino Space Telescope Imaging Spectograph ( STIS ) through a repair. Here he had a handle from the Hubble telescope tear, as a bolt failed to solve. The landing took place on 24 May 2009 at Edwards Air Force Base.

Trivia

Massimino had several guest appearances on the U.S. sitcom The Big Bang Theory.

Summary

Private

Massimino is married and has two children. His hobbies include baseball, DIY, family activities, camping and sports coach for children.