Who is Megan McArthur? NASA astronaut and first girl to pilot SpaceX Dragon retires after 20 years |

NASA astronaut Megan McArthur has retired, as introduced by NASA.gov, concluding a profession that spanned greater than 20 years. Celebrated as the primary girl to pilot a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, McArthur logged 213 days in orbit throughout two missions and made lasting contributions to human spaceflight. Among her many achievements, she was the ultimate astronaut to function the Hubble Space Telescope with the house shuttle’s robotic arm, a testomony to her distinctive technical experience and management in advancing house exploration.

Megan McArthur’s formative years and NASA-focused educational journey

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and raised as a “Navy kid”, Megan McArthur developed an early fascination with science and exploration. She pursued a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering on the University of California, Los Angeles, earlier than incomes a doctorate in oceanography from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography on the University of California, San Diego. Her robust educational basis in each engineering and Earth sciences offered a singular perspective that might later inform her method to house missions and analysis.

Historic missions of Megan McArthur: From Hubble to SpaceX Dragon

McArthur first ventured into house in 2009 as a mission specialist on the ultimate servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, STS-125, aboard the house shuttle Atlantis. During this mission, she performed a vital position in 5 spacewalks to restore and improve Hubble, making certain that the telescope may proceed its groundbreaking observations after practically 20 years in orbit. Her work not solely required technical precision but additionally showcased her potential to function below excessive circumstances within the vacuum of house.Her second spaceflight got here in April 2021 when she served because the pilot of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission. This marked her first long-duration keep aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and allowed her to function a flight engineer for Expeditions 65 and 66. During the 200-day mission, McArthur carried out a variety of scientific experiments, spanning human well being research, supplies science, and robotics. These investigations have been designed to assist NASA’s Artemis program and put together for future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.

Megan McArthur’s management and NASA contributions past house missions

Beyond her missions, McArthur has held a number of key management and technical roles at NASA. In 2017, she grew to become the assistant director of flight operations for the ISS Program, overseeing day by day spaceflight operations and supporting astronaut groups. By 2019, she was appointed deputy division chief of the Astronaut Office, the place she contributed to astronaut coaching, improvement, and mission planning. In 2022, she grew to become the chief science officer at Space Center Houston, NASA Johnson’s official customer heart, additional demonstrating her dedication to science communication and public engagement.

Family and private lifetime of Megan McArthur

Megan McArthur is married to former NASA astronaut Robert Behnken, who retired in 2022 after accumulating over 708 hours in house. Behnken flew aboard SpaceX Dragon 2 in 2020 as a part of the spacecraft’s first crewed mission. The couple has a son, and collectively, they’ve turn out to be certainly one of NASA’s most recognised astronaut households, inspiring future generations of house explorers.

Legacy and impression: Megan McArthur’s contributions to house exploration

Throughout her profession, McArthur has exemplified the qualities of a contemporary astronaut: intelligence, precision, and dedication to advancing human understanding of house. Her work on Hubble and the ISS has instantly contributed to scientific discovery, whereas her position in piloting the SpaceX Dragon marked a historic milestone for ladies in aerospace. By combining technical experience with management and outreach, McArthur has helped form the way forward for human house exploration and impressed numerous aspiring scientists and astronauts.Megan McArthur’s achievements lengthen past her time in house. Her efforts in scientific analysis, mission management, and public training have set a excessive normal for astronaut efficiency and advocacy. She stays a task mannequin for ladies in STEM fields, highlighting the significance of persistence, ability, and innovation. As she steps away from energetic service, her legacy continues to affect NASA missions, house analysis, and academic packages worldwide.From her first spacewalk repairing Hubble to commanding the SpaceX Dragon on the ISS, Megan McArthur has made an indelible mark on human spaceflight. Her profession demonstrates how dedication, experience, and imaginative and prescient can push the boundaries of exploration. As she retires after 20 years at NASA, McArthur leaves behind a legacy of scientific achievement, historic milestones, and inspiration for future generations of explorers.Also Read: Ancient 24-foot ‘sea dragon’ Jormungander: Terrifying mosasaur that dominated oceans 80 million years in the past