KATHRYN D. SULLIVAN (PH.D.)

NASA ASTRONAUT (FORMER)

PERSONAL DATA: Born October 3, 1951, in Paterson, New Jersey, but considers 

Woodland Hills, California, to be her hometown. She enjoys flying, squash, bicycling, 

backpacking, and reading in her spare time. Her father, Donald P. Sullivan, resides in 

Cupertino, California; her mother, Barbara K. Sullivan, is deceased.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Taft High School, Woodland Hills, California, in 1969; 

received a bachelor of science degree in Earth sciences from the University of California, 

Santa Cruz, in 1973, and a doctorate in geology from Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova 

Scotia) in 1978. Awarded honorary degrees by Kent State University (2002); Ohio 

Dominican University (1998); Stevens Institute of Technology (1992); State University of 

New York, Utica (1991); Dalhousie University (1985).

ORGANIZATIONS: Appointed a member of the National Science Board in November 

2004. Served on the Pew Oceans Commission, whose nationwide study and subsequent 

report, “America’s Living Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change,” calls for immediate reform of U.S. ocean laws and policies 

to avert the decline of ocean wildlife and collapse of ocean ecosystems (2000-2003). In 2003, appointed Chair of the Ohio 

Aerospace and Defense Advisory Council by Ohio Governor Robert Taft. Appointed to the Chief of Naval Operations Executive 

Panel in 1988. In March 1985, appointed by President Reagan to the National Commission on Space. The Commission’s report, 

entitled "Pioneering the Space Frontier," laid out goals for U.S. civilian space activities over the next 25 years. Adjunct Professor 

of Geology at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science 

and the American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics. Member of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Explorers 

Club, the Society of Woman Geographers and Association of Space Explorers. 

SPECIAL HONORS: Aviation Week & Space Technology Aerospace Legend Award (2005); Astronaut Hall of Fame (2004); 

Public Service Award, National Science Board, in recognition of lifelong commitment to science education (2003); Juliette Award 

for National Women of Distinction, Girl Scouts USA (2002); Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame (2002); Ohio Veteran’s Hall of Fame 

(2001); Lone Sailor Award, U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation (1997); NASA Medal for Outstanding Leadership (1992); AIAA 

Haley Space Flight Award (1991); AAS Space Flight Achievement Award (1991); NASA Exceptional Service Medal (1988 & 

1991); NASA Space Flight Medal (1984 & 1990); Ten Outstanding Young People of the World Award, Jaycees International 

(1987); Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award, U.S. Jaycees (1987); National Air and Space Museum Trophy, Smithsonian 

Institution (1985); Four Presidential nominations under four different administrations (1985, 1992, 2000, 2004). 

EXPERIENCE: Most of Dr. Sullivan’s efforts prior to joining NASA were concentrated in academic study and research. She 

was an earth sciences major at the University of California, Santa Cruz and spent 1971-1972 as an exchange student at the 

University of Bergen, Norway. Her bachelor’s degree (with honors) was awarded in 1973. 

Her doctoral studies at Dalhousie University included participation in a variety of oceanographic expeditions, under the auspices 

of the U.S. Geological Survey, Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institute and the Bedford Institute. Her research included the MidAtlantic Ridge, the Newfoundland Basin and fault zones off the Southern California Coast. 

She is a private pilot, rated in powered and glider aircraft.

The first American woman to walk in space, Dr. Sullivan is a veteran of three shuttle missions and a 2004 inductee to the 

Astronaut Hall of Fame. 

In 1993, Dr. Sullivan left NASA to accept a Presidential appointment to the post of Chief Scientist at the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Here she oversaw a wide array of research and technology programs ranging from climate 

and global change to satellites and marine biodiversity.

- more -

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Biographical Data

 Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

 Houston, Texas 77058
From 1996 to 2006, Dr. Sullivan served as President and CEO of COSI (Center of Science & Industry) in Columbus, Ohio. Under 

her leadership, COSI strengthened its impact on science teaching in the classroom and its national reputation as an innovator of 

hands-on, inquiry-based science learning resources. 

Dr. Sullivan then served as the inaugural Director of the Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy in the John 

Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University.

Dr. Kathryn Sullivan was confirmed by the Senate as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA 

Administrator on March 6, 2014, having served as Acting NOAA Administrator since February 28, 2013.

Prior to her appointment as Acting Administrator, Dr. Sullivan held the position of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 

Environmental Observation and Prediction and Deputy Administrator. As Assistant Secretary, Dr. Sullivan played a central role in 

directing Administration and NOAA priority work in the areas of weather and water services, climate science and services, 

integrated mapping services and Earth-observing capabilities. She also provided agency-wide direction with regard to satellites, 

space weather, water, and ocean observations and forecasts to best serve American communities and businesses.

Dr. Sullivan is the United States Co-chair of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), an intergovernmental body that is building a 

Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) to provide environmental intelligence relevant to societal needs.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in January 1978, Dr. Sullivan became an astronaut in August 1979. Her Shuttle 

support assignments since then include: software development; launch and landing lead chase photographer; Orbiter and cargo 

test, checkout and launch support at Kennedy Space Center, Florida; extravehicular activity (EVA) and spacesuit support crew for 

several flights; and capsule communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control for numerous Shuttle missions. A veteran of three 

space flights, Dr. Sullivan was a mission specialist on STS-41G (October 5-13, 1984), STS-31 (April 24-29, 1990) and STS-45 

(March 24-April 2, 1992). 

Joining NASA, Dr. Sullivan’s research interests were focused on remote sensing. She qualified as a systems engineer operator in 

NASA’s WB-57F high-altitude research aircraft in 1978 and participated in several remote sensing projects in Alaska. She was a 

co-investigator on the Shuttle Imaging Radar-B (SIR-B) experiment, which she flew on Mission STS-41G.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-41G, launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on October 5, 1984, with a crew 

of seven. During their eight-day mission, the crew deployed the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite, conducted scientific 

observations of the Earth with the OSTA-3 pallet (including the SIR-B radar, FILE, and MAPS experiments) and large format 

camera (LFC), conducted a satellite refueling demonstration using hydrazine fuel with the Orbital Refueling System (ORS), and

conducted numerous in-cabin experiments as well as activating eight "Getaway Special" canisters. Dr. Sullivan and Commander 

Leestma also successfully conducted a 3-1/2 hour Extravehicular Activity (EVA) to demonstrate the feasibility of actual satellite 

refueling, making her the first U.S. woman to perform an EVA. STS-41G completed 132 orbits of the Earth in 197.5 hours, 

before landing at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on October 13, 1984. 

In April 1990, Dr. Sullivan served on the crew of STS-31, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on April 24, 

1990. During this five-day mission, crew members aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery deployed the Hubble Space Telescope, 

and conducted a variety of middeck experiments involving the study of protein crystal growth, polymer membrane processing and

the effects of weightlessness and magnetic fields on an ion arc. They also operated a variety of cameras, including both the IMAX 

in-cabin and cargo bay cameras, for Earth observations from their record setting altitude of 380 miles. Following 76 orbits of the 

Earth in 121 hours, STS-31 Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on April 29, 1990. 

Dr. Sullivan served as Payload Commander on STS-45, the first Spacelab mission dedicated to NASA’s Mission to Planet Earth. 

During this nine-day mission, the crew operated the twelve experiments that constituted the ATLAS-1 (Atmospheric Laboratory 

for Applications and Science) cargo. ATLAS-1 obtained a vast array of detailed measurements of atmospheric chemical and 

physical properties, which will contribute significantly to improving our understanding of our climate and atmosphere. In 

addition, this was the first time an artificial beam of electrons was used to stimulate a man-made auroral discharge.

With the completion of her third mission, Dr. Sullivan logged more than 532 hours in space.

APRIL 2014

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