Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper is an American engineer and a retired United States Navy Captain who served as a NASA astronaut. She achieved two spaceflights, logging a total of 27 days, 19 hours, and 58 minutes in space, and she performed five spacewalks totaling 33 hours and 42 minutes.

Early life and education

Stefanyshyn-Piper was born on February 7, 1963, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She graduated from Derham Hall High School, an all-girls Catholic school, in 1980. She then attended the United States Naval Academy, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1985. She later earned a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1995.

Naval career

After graduating from the Naval Academy, Stefanyshyn-Piper was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. She served on several ships, including the USS Lexington and the USS Yorktown. She also served as a Diving Officer and a Salvage Officer.

NASA career

Stefanyshyn-Piper was selected by NASA in April 1996. She flew on STS-115 and STS-126, logging over 27 days in space and performing five spacewalks. On STS-115, she helped install the P3/P4 truss on the International Space Station. On STS-126, she worked on repairing the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, a critical part of the station's power system.

Personal life

Stefanyshyn-Piper is married and has one child. She enjoys scuba diving, skiing, sewing, and gardening in her spare time.

Awards and honors

Stefanyshyn-Piper has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Navy Commendation Medal, the NASA Space Flight Medal, and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.

See also

• List of female astronauts
• Women in space
• List of spacewalks and moonwalks