http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

June 2018

Scott D. Tingle

(Captain, U.S. Navy) NASA Astronaut

Summary:

Scott D. Tingle was selected by NASA in 2009. Raised in Randolph, Massachusetts, he earned a Bachelor of Science in 

Mechanical Engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University, and a Master of Science in Mechanical 

Engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Following graduate school, Captain Tingle spent three 

years with the Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California, as a member of technical staff in their Propulsion 

Department. He was commissioned as a naval officer in 1991. Tingle most recently served as Flight Engineer on the 

International Space Station for Expedition 54/55. 

Personal Data:

Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, but considers his hometown as Randolph, Massachusetts. Married to the former 

Raynette Mahelona of Kailua, Hawaii. They have three children.

Education:

Graduated from Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical High School, Canton, Massachusetts, in 1983. Earned a 

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University in 1987. Earned a Master of 

Science in Mechanical Engineering with a specialty in fluid mechanics and propulsion from Purdue University, West 

Lafayette, Indiana, in 1988. Attended Naval Aviation Safety Officer School in January 2000. Attended University of 

Virginia’s Darden School of Business Executive Leadership program in June 2015.

Experience:

Following graduate school, Captain Tingle spent three years with the Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California, as a 

member of technical staff in their Propulsion Department. He was commissioned as a naval officer in 1991 and earned 

his wings of gold as a naval aviator in 1993. He began his operational flying career in 1994 with the Blue Diamonds of 

VFA-146 based in Lemoore, California. He deployed to the Western Pacific and North Arabian Gulf with Carrier Air Wing 

Nine aboard the USS Nimitz. Following graduation from Navy Test Pilot School in 1998, he performed as an operational 

test pilot for the FA-18E/F Super Hornet program with the Vampires of VX-9, located at China Lake, California. Tingle 

then completed a CAG Paddles tour flying FA-18A/C Hornets with Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) aboard USS Carl 

Vinson. CVW-11 and USS Carl Vinson were first responders for the attacks of September 11, 2001 and Executed 

Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. After a tour as assistant operations officer with the Strike Fighter Wing 

Pacific and instructor pilot with VFA-122, he completed a department head tour as safety officer, maintenance officer 

and operations officer while flying the FA-18A Hornet with the Warhawks of VFA-97 (Lemoore, California). Tingle 

completed a deployment with CVW-11 to the Western Pacific/North Arabian Gulf and also deployed with Marine Air 

Group Twelve (MAG-12) to Iwakuni, Japan. In 2005, Tingle returned to Patuxent River, Maryland, as the Ship Suitability 

Department Head and test pilot with the Salty Dogs of VX-23. Here, he tested FA-18C Hornet, FA-18E/F Super Hornet 

and EA-18G Growler aircraft and certified aircraft carrier precision landing systems. Tingle was attached to PMA-201 as 
http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies

Scott D. Tingle

the assistant program manager/systems engineer for the Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM) and Harpoon weapon 

systems when selected as an astronaut. He has accumulated more than 4,500 flight hours in 55 types of aircraft, 750 

carrier arrestments and 54 combat missions.

NASA Experience:

Captain Tingle was selected in July 2009 as one of 9 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. His training included 

scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalks, robotics, 

physiological training, T-38 flight training and water and wilderness survival training.

Tingle was assigned as Flight Engineer and United States Operational Segment Lead for Expedition 54/55 (December 17, 

2017 through June 3, 2018) aboard the International Space Station. The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome 

aboard the Soyuz spacecraft. Tingle was joined by Russian Cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Norishige 

Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. During the mission, hundreds of experiments were conducted, 

including materials testing, capillary flow experiments, combustion research, and research into plant growth in space. 

They also captured and released four cargo spacecraft delivering several tons of supplies and experiments. Tingle and 

Kanai ventured outside the station on separate spacewalks to perform work on parts of the Canadarm2 robotic arm. 

They also participated in dozens of educational events as part of NASA’s Year of Education on Station. Tingle returned to 

earth after 168 days of living and working in low-Earth orbit. 

Awards/Honors:

Awarded a Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, NASA Space Flight Medal, NASA 

Distinguished Service Medal, three Air Medals, six Navy Commendation Medals including one with Combat Valor, four 

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various unit commendations. Graduated magna cum laude from 

Southeastern Massachusetts University. Outstanding Graduate of U.S. Navy Test Pilot School Class 113. 

Organizations: 

Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Experimental Aircraft Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and 

Astronautics, Tailhook Association, U.S. Navy Test Pilot School Alumni Association, Purdue University Alumni Association, 

University of Massachusetts Alumni Association, Save the Children.

Pronunciation: 

SKOT TING-le