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Chilton, Kevin Patrick 'Chilly'

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Chilton Credit: www.spacefacts.de

Status: Inactive; Active 1987-1998. Born: 1954-11-03. Spaceflights: 3 . Total time in space: 29.35 days. Birth Place: Los Angeles, California.

Official NASA Biography as of June 2016:Kevin P. Chilton (General, USAF)
NASA Astronaut (former)

PERSONAL DATA: Born November 3, 1954, in Los Angeles, California. Married; four children. He enjoys reading and all sports, including running, snow skiing, sailing, and softball. He also played the guitar in a rock and roll band.

EDUCATION: Graduated from St. Bernard High School, Playa del Rey, California, in 1972; received a bachelor of science degree in engineering sciences from the USAF Academy in 1976, and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University on a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1977.

ORGANIZATIONS: Member, Order of Daedalians, USAF Academy Association of Graduates, American Legion.

SPECIAL HONORS: Distinguished Graduate USAF Academy, and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient (1976). Commanders Trophy winner as top graduate from Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training (1978). Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award recipient as top graduate of Air Force Squadron Officer School for 1982. Recipient of the Liethen-Tittle Award as the outstanding test pilot of the USAF Test Pilot School Class 84A (1984). NASA "Top Fox" Flight Safety Award Winner (1991). Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with an oak leaf cluster, Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, three NASA Space Flight Medals, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal.

EXPERIENCE: Chilton received his Air Force commission from the USAF Academy in 1976, and then completed a masters degree in mechanical engineering on a Guggenheim Fellowship at Columbia University in 1977. In 1978, after receiving his wings at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, he qualified in the RF-4 Phantom II and was assigned to the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan. From 1978 until 1980, he served as a combat-ready pilot and instructor pilot in the RF-4 in Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. In 1981, he converted to the F-15 Eagle and was assigned to the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base in Japan as a squadron pilot. In 1982, Chilton attended the USAF Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and finished as the number one graduate for the year, receiving the Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award. Subsequently assigned to the 9th and 7th Tactical Fighter Squadrons at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Chilton served as an F-15 squadron weapons officer, instructor pilot, and flight commander until 1984, when he was selected for the USAF Test Pilot School. Graduating number one in his class in 1984, Chilton was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where he conducted weapons and systems tests in all models of the F-15 and F-4. While a member of the 3247th Test Squadron, Chilton served as squadron safety officer, as chief of test and evaluation, and as squadron operations officer. In August 1987 he was assigned to NASA as an astronaut candidate.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in June 1987, Chilton became an astronaut in August 1988, qualified for assignment as a pilot on Space Shuttle flight crews. Chilton held a variety of technical assignments. He served in the Mission Development Branch of the Astronaut Office in support of the Infrared Background Signature Survey ( IBSS) satellite, and the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) programs; was the Astronaut Office T-38 safety officer; was leader of the Astronaut Support Personnel team at the Kennedy Space Center; and was lead spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for several Shuttle flights. Chilton also served as Deputy Program Manager for the International Space Station Program.

A veteran of three space flights, Chilton has logged over 704 hours in space. He was the pilot on STS-49 in 1992 and STS-59 in 1994, and was the commander of STS-76 in 1996.

Chilton left NASA in 1998. Since then he has served on the Air Force Space Command Staff, the Air Staff, the Joint Staff, and commanded the 9 th Reconnaissance Wing, 8 th Air Force, Joint Functional Component Command for Space and Global Strike and Air Force Space Command. Currently he serves as Commander, United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He is responsible for the global command and control of U.S. strategic forces to meet decisive national security objectives.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-49, May 7-16, 1992, was the maiden voyage of Space Shuttle Endeavour. During the mission, the crew conducted the initial test flight of Endeavour, performed a record four EVA’s (space walks) to retrieve, repair and deploy the International Telecommunications Satellite (INTELSAT), and to demonstrate and evaluate numerous EVA tasks to be used for the assembly of Space Station Freedom. Additionally, a variety of medical, scientific and operational tests were conducted throughout the mission. STS-49 logged 213 hours in space and 141 Earth orbits prior to landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where the crew conducted the first test of the Endeavour’s drag chute.

STS -59, the Space Radar Laboratory (SRL) mission, April 9-20, 1994, was launched aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. SRL consisted of three large radars, SIR-C/X-SAR (Shuttle Imaging Radar C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar), and a carbon monoxide sensor that were used to enhance studies of the Earth's surface and atmosphere. The imaging radars operated in three frequencies and four polarizations. This multispectral capability of the radars provided information about the Earth's surface over a wide range of scales not discernible with previous single-frequency experiments. The carbon monoxide sensor ( MAPS) used gas filter radiometry to measure the global distribution of CO in the troposphere. Real-time crew observations of surface phenomena and climatic conditions augmented with over 14,000 photographs aided investigators in interpretation and calibration of the data. The mission concluded with a landing at Edwards AFB after orbiting the Earth 183 times in 269 hours.

Chilton commanded STS-76, the third docking mission to the Russian space station Mir, which launched on March 22, 1996 with a crew of six aboard Atlantis. Following rendezvous and docking with Mir, transfer of a NASA astronaut to Mir for a five month stay was accomplished to begin a continuous presence of U.S. astronauts aboard Mir for the next two-year period. The crew also transferred 4800 pounds of science and mission hardware, food, water and air to Mir and returned over 1100 pounds of U.S. and ESA science and Russian hardware. The first spacewalk from the Shuttle while docked to Mir was conducted. Experiment packages were transferred from the Shuttle and mounted on the Mir docking module to detect and assess debris and contamination in a space station environment. The Spacehab module carried in the Shuttle payload bay was utilized extensively for transfer and return stowage of logistics and science and also carried Biorack, a small multipurpose laboratory used during this mission for research of plant and animal cellular function. This mission was also the first flight of Kidsat, an electronic camera controlled by classroom students via a Ku-band link between JSC Mission Control and the Shuttle, which used digitized photography from the Shuttle for science and education. Following 145 orbits of the Earth, Atlantis landed with a crew of five at Edwards Air Force Base in California on March 31, 1996, 221 hours after liftoff.

MARCH 2008

This is the only version available from NASA. Updates must be sought direct from the above named individual.

NAME: Kevin P. Chilton (Colonel, USAF)

NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA:

Born November 3, 1954, in Los Angeles, California. Married; four children. He enjoys reading and all sports, including running, snow skiing, sailing, and softball. He also plays the guitar in a rock and roll band.

EDUCATION:

Graduated from St. Bernard High School, Playa del Rey, California, in 1972; received a bachelor of science degree in engineering sciences from the USAF Academy in 1976, and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University on a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1977.

ORGANIZATIONS:

Member, Order of Daedalians, USAF Academy Association of Graduates, American Legion.

SPECIAL HONORS:

Distinguished Graduate USAF Academy, and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient (1976). Commanders Trophy winner as top graduate from Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training (1978). Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award recipient as top graduate of Air Force Squadron Officer School for 1982. Recipient of the Liethen-Tittle Award as the outstanding test pilot of the USAF Test Pilot School Class 84A (1984). NASA "Top Fox" Flight Safety Award Winner (1991). Awarded two USAF Meritorious Service Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

EXPERIENCE:

Chilton received his Air Force commission from the USAF Academy in 1976, and then completed a masters degree in mechanical engineering on a Guggenheim Fellowship at Columbia University in 1977. In 1978, after receiving his wings at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, he qualified in the RF-4 Phantom II and was assigned to the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan. From 1978 until 1980, he served as a combat-ready pilot and instructor pilot in the RF-4 in Korea, Japan, and the Philippines. In 1981, he converted to the F-15 Eagle and was assigned to the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base in Japan as a squadron pilot. In 1982, Chilton attended the USAF Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and finished as the number one graduate for the year, receiving the Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award. Subsequently assigned to the 9th and 7th Tactical Fighter Squadrons at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Chilton served as an F-15 squadron weapons officer, instructor pilot, and flight commander until 1984, when he was selected for the USAF Test Pilot School. Graduating number one in his class in 1984, Chilton was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where he conducted weapons and systems tests in all models of the F-15 and F-4. While a member of the 3247th Test Squadron, Chilton served as squadron safety officer, as chief of test and evaluation, and as squadron operations officer. In August 1987 he was assigned to NASA as an astronaut candidate.

NASA EXPERIENCE:

Selected by NASA in June 1987, Chilton became an astronaut in August 1988, qualified for assignment as a pilot on future Space Shuttle flight crews. Since then he has held a variety of technical assignments. He served in the Mission Development Branch of the Astronaut Office in support of the Infrared Background Signature Survey (IBSS) satellite, and the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) programs. He also served as the Astronaut Office T-38 safety officer, as leader of the Astronaut Support Personnel team at the Kennedy Space Center, and as lead spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for several Shuttle flights. A veteran of three space flights, Chilton has logged over 704 hours in space. He was the pilot on STS-49 in 1992 and STS-59 in 1994, and commanded STS-76 in 1996.

STS-49, May 7-16, 1992, was the maiden voyage of Space Shuttle Endeavour. During the mission, the crew conducted the initial test flight of Endeavour, performed a record four EVA's (space walks) to retrieve, repair and deploy the International Telecommunications Satellite (INTELSAT), and to demonstrate and evaluate numerous EVA tasks to be used for the assembly of Space Station Freedom. Additionally, a variety of medical, scientific and operational tests were conducted throughout the mission. STS-49 logged 213 hours in space and 141 Earth orbits prior to landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where the crew conducted the first test of the Endeavour's drag chute.

STS-59, the Space Radar Laboratory (SRL) mission, April 9-20, 1994, was launched aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. SRL consisted of three large radars, SIR-C/X-SAR (Shuttle Imaging Radar C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar), and a carbon monoxide sensor that were used to enhance studies of the Earth's surface and atmosphere. The imaging radars operated in three frequencies and four polarizations. This multispectral capability of the radars provided information about the Earth's surface over a wide range of scales not discernible with previous single-frequency experiments. The carbon monoxide sensor (MAPS) used gas filter radiometry to measure the global distribution of CO in the troposphere. Real-time crew observations of surface phenomena and climatic conditions augmented with over 14,000 photographs aided investigators in interpretation and calibration of the data. The mission concluded with a landing at Edwards AFB after orbiting the Earth 183 times in 269 hours.

Col. Chilton commanded STS-76, the third docking mission to the Russian space station Mir, which launched on March 22, 1996 with a crew of six aboard Atlantis. Following rendezvous and docking with Mir, transfer of a NASA astronaut to Mir for a 5-month stay was accomplished to begin a continuous presence of U.S. astronauts aboard Mir for the next two year period. the crew also transferred 4800 pounds of science and mission hardware, food, water and air to Mir and returned over 1100 pounds of U.S. and ESA science and Russian hardware. The first spacewalk from the Shuttle while docked to Mir was conducted. Experiment packages were transferred from the Shuttle and mounted on the Mir docking module to detect and assess debris and contamination in a space station environment. The Spacehab module carried in the Shuttle payload bay was utilized extensively for transfer and return stowage of logistics and science and also carried Biorack, a small multipurpose laboratory used during this mission for research of plant and animal cellular function. This mission was also the first flight of Kidsat, an electronic camera controlled by classroom students via a Ku-band link between JSC Mission Control and the Shuttle, which uses digitized photography from the Shuttle for science and education. Following 145 orbits of the Earth, Atlantis landed with a crew of five at Edwards Air Force Base in California on March 31, 1996, 221 hours after liftoff.

Col. Chilton is currently the Deputy Program Manager for the International Space Station Program.

Official USAF Biography

MAJOR GENERAL KEVIN P. CHILTON

Maj. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton is Director of Programs, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He also serves as Chairman of the Air Force Board and has oversight of all Air Force programs.

General Chilton is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1976. A Guggenheim Fellow, he completed a master of science degree in mechanical engineering at Columbia University. He flew operational assignments in the RF-4C and F-15 and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. General Chilton conducted weapons testing in various models of the F-4 and F-15 prior to joining the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1987. At NASA he flew on three space shuttle missions and served as the Deputy Program Manager for Operations for the International Space Station Program. The general commanded the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, and served on the Air Force Space Command Staff and the Joint Staff prior to assuming his current position.

EDUCATION:

1976 Distinguished graduate, bachelor of science degree in engineering science, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1977 Master of science degree in mechanical engineering, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.
1982 Distinguished graduate, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1984 Distinguished graduate, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
1985 Air Command and Staff College
2001 Air War College

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. May 1977 - May 1978, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams Air Force Base, Ariz.
2. May 1978 - August 1978, student, RF-4C Replacement Training Unit, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
3. August 1978 - November 1980, RF-4C pilot and instructor pilot, 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan
4. November 1980 - August 1982, F-15C pilot, 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan
5. August 1982 - October 1982, student, Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
6. October 1982 - December 1983, F-15A pilot, instructor pilot and flight commander, 9th and 7th tactical fighter squadrons, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
7. January 1984 - December 1984, student, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
8. January 1985 - August 1987, test pilot and operations officer, 3247th Test Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
9. August 1987 - August 1988, astronaut candidate, NASA, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
10. August 1988 - May 1996, astronaut, NASA, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
11. May 1996 - August 1998, Deputy Program Manager of Operations, International Space Station Program, NASA, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
12. August 1998 - May 1999, Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
13. May 1999 - September 2000, Commander, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, Calif.
14. October 2000 – April 2002, Director of Politico-Military Affairs, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
15. April 2002 – present, Director of Programs, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Command astronaut pilot
Flight hours: More than 5,000
Aircraft flown: F-4C/D/E, F-15, OV-104A and OV-105A (space shuttles Atlantis and Endeavor), RF-4C, T-38, U-2 and VC-11

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
NASA Space Flight Medal with two oak leaf clusters
NASA Exceptional Service Medal
NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
Guggenheim Fellow
Commander's Trophy, undergraduate pilot training
1982 Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award
1984 Liethen-Tittle Award for top graduate, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant Jun 2, 1976
First Lieutenant Jun 2, 1978
Captain Jun 2, 1980
Major May 2, 1985
Lieutenant Colonel Jun 2, 1989
Colonel Jan 1, 1993
Brigadier General May 1, 1999
Major General Apr 1, 2002

(Current as of June 2002)

• Birth of Kevin Patrick 'Chili' Chilton - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chilton. American test pilot astronaut 1987-1998. 3 spaceflights, 29.3 days in space. Flew to orbit on STS-49 (1992), STS-59, STS-76..

• NASA Astronaut Training Group 12 selected. - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Akers, Allen, Andy, Bowersox, Brown, Chilton, Davis, Foale, Harbaugh, Jemison, McMonagle, Melnick, Readdy, Reightler, Runco, Voss.

  The group was selected to provide pilot, engineer, and scientist astronauts for space shuttle flights.. Qualifications: Pilots: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. Advanced degree desirable. At least 1,000 flight-hours of pilot-in-command time. Flight test experience desirable. Excellent health. Vision minimum 20/50 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 vision; maximum sitting blood pressure 140/90. Height between 163 and 193 cm.

  Mission Specialists: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics and minimum three years of related experience or an advanced degree. Vision minimum 20/150 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20. Maximum sitting blood pressure of 140/90. Height between 150 and 193 cm.. First selection after the Challenger accident. 1962 applicants, 117 finalists. Reported to Johnson Space Center on August 17, 1987, to begin their one year training. Seven pilots and eight mission specialists. Two female mission specialists, including the first black woman astronaut. Ten military officers and five civilians (including three from NASA Johnson and one from NASA Marshall).

• STS-49 - . Call Sign: Endeavour. Crew: Akers, Brandenstein, Chilton, Hieb, Melnick, Thornton, Thuot. Payload: Endeavour F01 / Intelsat 6 SRM. Mass: 14,786 kg (32,597 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Akers, Brandenstein, Chilton, Hieb, Melnick, Thornton, Thuot. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-49. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Duration: 8.89 days. Decay Date: 1992-05-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 21963 . COSPAR: 1992-026A. Apogee: 341 km (211 mi). Perigee: 268 km (166 mi). Inclination: 28.30 deg. Period: 90.60 min.

  Retrieved Intelsat 6 and attached new SRM. First active dual rendezvous of two orbiting spacecraft (Endeavour and Intelsat-Vl). First deployment of a drag chute on the orbiter fleet. Payloads: Intelsat-Vl reboost mission hardware, Assembly of Station by EVA Methods (ASEM), Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (CPCG), Air Force Maui Optical Site (AMOS) Calibration Test, Ultraviolet Plume Instrument (UVPl).

• Landing of STS-49 - . Return Crew: Akers, Brandenstein, Chilton, Hieb, Melnick, Thornton, Thuot. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Akers, Brandenstein, Chilton, Hieb, Melnick, Thornton, Thuot. Program: STS. Flight: STS-49. STS-49 landed at 21:03 GMT. .

• STS-59 - . Call Sign: Endeavour. Crew: Apt, Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Gutierrez, Jones. Payload: Endeavour F06 / MAPS. Mass: 12,490 kg (27,530 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Apt, Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Gutierrez, Jones. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-59. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Duration: 11.24 days. Decay Date: 1994-04-30 . USAF Sat Cat: 23042 . COSPAR: 1994-020A. Apogee: 204 km (126 mi). Perigee: 194 km (120 mi). Inclination: 56.90 deg. Period: 88.40 min.

  Carried SIR-C SAR radar. Payloads: Space Radar Laboratory (SRL) 1; Consortium for Materials Development in Space Complex Autonomous Payload (CONCAP) IV; three getaway special (GAS) payloads; Space Tissue Loss (STL) A, B; Visual Function Tester (VFT) 4; Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) II.

• Landing of STS-59 - . Return Crew: Apt, Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Gutierrez, Jones. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Apt, Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Gutierrez, Jones. Program: STS. Flight: STS-59. STS-59 landed at 16:54 GMT. .

• STS-76 - . Call Sign: Atlantis. Crew: Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Lucid, Searfoss, Sega. Payload: Atlantis F16 / Spacehab-SM. Mass: 6,753 kg (14,887 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Lucid, Searfoss, Sega. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: Soyuz TM-23, STS-76, STS-76 Mir NASA-1. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Duration: 9.22 days. Decay Date: 1996-03-31 . USAF Sat Cat: 23831 . COSPAR: 1996-018A. Apogee: 398 km (247 mi). Perigee: 394 km (244 mi). Inclination: 51.70 deg. Period: 88.80 min.

  Shuttle-Mir Mission 3. Docked with the Mir space station 24 March 1996; Shannon Lucid was left on Mir for an extended stay. First American EVA on Mir. Payloads: SPACEHAB/Mir 03; KidSat; Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) II, Configuration M; RME 1304—Mir/ Environmental Effects Payload (MEEP); orbiter docking system RME 1315; Trapped Ions in Space Experiment (TRIS); Extravehicular Activity Development Flight Test (EDFT) 04.

• Landing of STS-76 - . Return Crew: Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Searfoss, Sega. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Searfoss, Sega. Program: Mir. Flight: Soyuz TM-23, STS-76, STS-76 Mir NASA-1. STS-76 landed at 13:28 GMT with the crew of Chilton, Clifford, Godwin, Searfoss and Sega aboard..