https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/active

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

October 2020

Christopher J. Cassidy

(Captain, U.S. Navy) NASA Astronaut

Summary:

Christopher J. Cassidy was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2004 and is a veteran of three space flights, STS‐127, 

Expedition 35, and Expedition 63. During STS-127, Cassidy served as a Mission Specialist and was the 500th person in 

history to fly into space. This mission delivered the Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility (JEM-EF) and the 

Experiment Logistics Module Exposed Section (ELM-ES) to the station. For Expedition 35, Cassidy and the European 

Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Parmitano had their unplanned spacewalk to replace a pump controller box cut short 

when Parmitano had cooling water leak into his helmet. Cassidy, a U.S. Navy SEAL, has been deployed twice to the 

Mediterranean and twice to Afghanistan. He has been the recipient of Bronze Star with combat ‘V’ and Presidential Unit 

Citation for leading a nine-day operation at the Zharwar Kili Cave on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. Cassidy recently 

served as Commander on the International Space Station for Expedition 63.

Personal Data:

Born in 1970 in Salem, Massachusetts. Considers York, Maine, to be his hometown. Married to the former Peggy Yancer, 

Elyria, Ohio. They have five children between the two of them. Recreational interests inlude traveling, biking, camping, 

snow skiing, weight lifting, running, basketball, real estate, and home improvement.

Education:

Graduated from York High School, York, Maine; completed Naval Academy Prep School, Newport, Rhode Island, 1989; 

received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, U.S. Naval Academy, 1993; received a Master of Science in Ocean 

Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2000, Honorary PHD from Husson University, 2015.

Military Experience: 

Eleven years as a member of the U.S. Navy SEALs Team. He made four six-month deployments: two to Afghanistan, and 

two to the Mediterranean. Cassidy served as Executive Officer and Operations Officer of Special Boat Team Twenty in 

Norfolk, Virginia, and SEAL platoon commander at SEAL Team THREE in Coronado, California. He deployed to the 

Afghanistan region two weeks after September 11, 2001, served as ground assault force commander for international 

and U.S. only combat missions in Afghanistan, and led two months of noncompliant ship-boarding in the Northern 

Arabian Gulf. He was SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) platoon commander at SDV Team TWO in Norfolk. He accumulated 

more than 200 hours underwater as pilot/navigator/mission commander of a two-man flooded submersible SDV, which 

is launched and recovered from a host-ship submarine. He also served as dry deck shelter platoon commander at SEAL 

Delivery Team TWO in Norfolk. Cassidy volunteered to complete a week-long, 180-mile charity kayak paddle from 

Norfolk to Washington, D.C. to raise money and awareness for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. He achieved 

the rank of Captain in 2014. 
https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/active

Christopher J. Cassidy

NASA Experience:

Cassidy was selected as an astronaut by NASA in May 2004. In February 2006, he completed Astronaut Candidate 

(ASCAN) training. From 2006 through 2008, he served as Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) in the Mission Control 

Center. From 2009 through 2011, Cassidy was assigned as the support astronaut on the Space Shuttle Closeout Crew 

tasked with strapping in the crew and closing and sealing the access hatch for flight. From 2014 to 2015, he served as 

the Extravehicular Activity (EVA) branch chief and in 2015 was assigned as the Deputy Chief, Astronaut Office. After 

serving four months as deputy, Cassidy became NASA’s 14th Chief Astronaut in July 2015 where he was responsible for 

flight assignments, mission preparation and on-orbit support of U.S. crews as well as organizing astronaut office support 

for future launch vehicles.

Spaceflight Experience:

STS-127 (July 15 through July 31, 2009). Cassidy served as Mission Specialist aboard the Endeavour for this International 

Space Station assembly mission 2J/A. Cassidy was the 500th person in history to fly into space. The crew delivered the 

Japanese Experiment Module - Exposed Facility (JEM-EF) and the Experiment Logistics Module Exposed Section (ELM-ES) 

to the station. They completed the construction of the KIBO JEM, installed scientific experiments on its exposed facility 

and delivered critical spare parts and replacement batteries. 

Expedition 35 (March 28 through September 10, 2013). Cassidy served as a Flight Engineer and flew to the station

aboard Soyuz TMA-08M (U.S. designation: 34S), which launched from the Baikonur Commodore in Kazakhstan. The 

three crew members were the first to complete an expedited docking to the station – instead of taking the standard two 

days to rendezvous and dock, they arrived at the orbiting complex in six hours. 

Expedition 63 (April 9 through October 21, 2020). Cassidy served as Commander and flew to the station aboard Soyuz, 

which launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Cassidy and his fellow Astronaut Robert Behnken 

completed four spacewalks, totaling 23 hours and 37 minutes, to upgrade station batteries. While on station, he 

contributed to hundreds of experiments, including a study of the influence of gravity on electrolytic gas evolution, which 

looks at bubbles created using electrolysis. Cassidy also worked with Astrobee, cube-shaped, free-flying robots that may 

one day assist astronauts with routine duties, and conducted research for the Onco-Selectors experiment, which 

leverages microgravity to identify targeted cancer therapies. He spent a total of 196 days in space.

Cassidy has completed a total of ten spacewalks, but two were of particular note. On May 11, 2013, Cassidy and Thomas 

Marshburn performed an unplanned spacewalk to replace a pump controller box suspected to be the source of an 

ammonia coolant leak, and on July 16, 2013, he and Luca Parmitano had their spacewalk cut short when Parmitano had 

cooling water leaking into his helmet covering his face with water. Overall, Cassidy has accumulated 54 hours, 51

minutes of spacewalk time and 378 days in space.

Awards/Honors:

Honor graduate of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Class 192; awarded the Bronze Star with combat ‘V’ and 

Presidential Unit Citation for leading a nine-day operation at the Zharwar Kili cave complex on the Afghanistan/Pakistan 

border; guest speaker at the U.S. Naval Academy Combat Leadership Seminar, 2003 & 2004; awarded a second Bronze 

Star for combat leadership service in Afghanistan, 2004; Recipient of NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal. Finisher in 

the Ironman World Championship triathlon in Kona, Hawaii, 2014.
https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/active

Christopher J. Cassidy

Organizations: 

U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association; Massachusetts Institute of Technology Alumni Association; Fraternal Order of 

Underwater Demoliton Team (UDT)/Sea, Air, Land Team (SEAL) Association.