The Grainger College of Engineering

Steven R. Nagel

Steven R. Nagel
Steven R. Nagel
To Steven R. Nagel, engineer, test pilot, and astronaut, for his contributions to the determination and eveluation of the Space Shuttle Orbit flight characteristics.

NASA Astronaut and Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas

  • BS, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, 1969

Steven Nagel was commissioned through the air force ROTC in 1969. He served as a fighter pilot and instructor pilot, including service in Thailand until his admission to the Air Force Test Pilot School in 1975. After completing this program, he served as an engineering test pilot for the air force until he was accepted into the NASA astronaut program in 1979. As an astronaut, he has participated in the development and evaluation of software for the Orbiter Computer, the determination of stability, control, and flutter characteristics of the Orbiter, and has flown on two space shuttle missions-one as mission specialist and one as pilot.

Nagel has been awarded the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, and the NASA Space Flight Medals. He is presently assigned to technical duties with the Astronaut Office and is a candidate for future space flights

Current as of 1988.