Kevin P. Chilton | |
---|---|
NASA Astronaut | |
Nationality | American |
Status | Retired |
Born |
Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
November 3, 1954
Other names
|
Kevin Patrick Chilton |
Other occupation
|
Test pilot |
USAFA, B.S. 1976 Columbia University, M.S. 1977 |
|
Rank | General, USAF |
Time in space
|
29d 08h 22m |
Selection | 1987 NASA Group 12 |
Missions | STS-49, STS-59, STS-76 |
Mission insignia
|
|
Retirement | February 1, 2011 |
Kevin Patrick "Chilli" Chilton (born November 3, 1954) is an American mechanical engineer, and former United States Air Force four-star General and test pilot. His last assignment was as Commander, U.S. Strategic Command from October 3, 2007 to January 28, 2011. Prior to his appointment to general officer ranks, Chilton spent 11 years of his military career as a NASA astronaut. He retired from the Air Force on February 1, 2011, after having achieved the highest rank of any military astronaut. On January 30, 2012, General Chilton was named to the board of directors of Orbital Sciences Corporation.
Born November 3, 1954, in Los Angeles, California, he graduated from St. Bernard High School, Playa del Rey, California, in 1972. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Sciences from the United States Air Force Academy in 1976, and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University on a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1977. He enjoys reading and all sports, including running, snow skiing, sailing, and softball.