Daniel M. Tani

Daniel M. Tani (born February 1, 1961) is an American engineer and a NASA astronaut. He was a member of Expedition 16 aboard the International Space Station (ISS) from October 2007 to February 2008. Tani has also served on two Space Shuttle missions, STS-108 and STS-120.

Early life and education

Tani was born in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, and raised in Lombard, Illinois. He graduated from Glenbard East High School in Lombard in 1979. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1984 and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT in 1988.

NASA career

Tani was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in April 1996. He reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996 to begin two years of training and evaluation. Upon completion of training, he was assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Computer Support Branch, followed by technical duties in the Astronaut Office Spacecraft Systems Branch. Tani served as a mission specialist on STS-108 in 2001 and STS-120 in 2007.

Spaceflight experience

Tani's first spaceflight was on STS-108, which launched on December 5, 2001. During the mission, the crew conducted a number of scientific experiments and installed equipment on the ISS.

Tani's second spaceflight was on STS-120, which launched on October 23, 2007. During the mission, the crew delivered the Harmony module to the ISS and conducted a number of spacewalks to install and repair equipment on the station.

Tani's third spaceflight was as a member of Expedition 16 to the ISS, where he served as a flight engineer. He launched on October 23, 2007, aboard STS-120 and returned to Earth on February 14, 2008, aboard STS-122.

Personal life

Tani is married and has two children. He enjoys running, skiing, flying, and playing the guitar.

See also

• List of astronauts by year of selection
• List of International Space Station expeditions
• List of spacewalks and moonwalks