https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

February 2017

Gregory C. Johnson

(Captain, U.S. Navy, Ret.) NASA Astronaut

Summary:

Gregory C. Johnson was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1998. The Seattle native is a retired U.S. Navy Captain, and has 

more than 11, 500 flying hours in over 50 different aircraft. He is a qualified T-38 instructor pilot, T-38 examiner pilot, T38 functional check flight pilot, WB-57F Instructor high altitude research pilot, WB-57F functional check flight pilot and 

KC-97 Super Guppy examiner pilot, instructor pilot and aircraft commander. Johnson flew aboard STS-125, which was 

the fifth and final Hubble servicing mission to give the then 19-year-old telescope an overhaul to prolong its mission. He 

is currently a management astronaut assigned as the Acting Deputy Director, Flight Operations Directorate. He manages 

11 Offices and Divisions and over 2500 personnel including oversight of the MCC, NBL, SVMF and Ellington Field 

operations.

Personal Data:

Born in Seattle, Washington. Married to Nanette Faget. Greg has two grown sons, Scott and Kent. Nanette has three 

children. Recreational interests include, cycling and swimming. His father, Raleigh O. Johnson is deceased and his step 

mom Patsy, resides in Mukilteo, Washington. His mother, Mary Ann Johnson, is deceased.

Education:

Graduated from West Seattle High School, Seattle, Washington, 1972; Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics and 

Astronautics , University of Washington, 1977; U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, California, 1984.

Experience:

Johnson received his commission through the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate Program at Naval Air Station Pensacola, 

Florida in September 1977. He received his Naval Aviator wings in December 1978 and following training was 

designated an instructor pilot in TA-4J aircraft. In 1980, he transitioned to A-6E aircraft completing two deployments in 

the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. In 1984, he reported to the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force 

Base, California. After graduation he reported to the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California, performing flight 

tests in A-6E and F/A-18A aircraft. Following his flight test tour, he reported to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island 

Washington as the safety and maintenance department head in an operational A-6 squadron. During this tour, he 

completed another Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment as well as a Northern Pacific deployment. He 

resigned his commission in 1990 and accepted a position at the NASA’s Johnson Space Center Aircraft Operations 

division, in Houston, Texas. From 1990 to 2007, Johnson served as a Captain in the U.S. Navy, reserve component, and 

was the Commanding Officer of four Naval Reserve units. He served as a Senior Research Officer in the Office of Naval 

Research 113, a science and technology unit based at the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He has 

logged more than 11,500 flying hours in over 50 aircraft and has over 500 carrier landings. 
https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts 

Gregory C. Johnson

NASA Experience:

In April 1990, Johnson was accepted as an Aerospace Engineer and research pilot at the NASA’s Johnson Space Center 

Aircraft Operations division, Ellington Field, Texas. He was qualified as a T-38 instructor, functional check flight and 

examiner pilot, as well as Gulfstream I aircraft commander, WB-57 high altitude research pilot and KC-135 co-pilot. 

Additionally, he conducted flight test programs in the T-38 aircraft including JET-A airstart testing, T-38N avionics 

upgrade testing and the first flight of the T-38 inlet redesign aircraft. In 1994, he assumed duties as the Chief, 

Maintenance & Engineering branch responsible for all modifications on Johnson’s 44 aircraft.

Selected by NASA as an astronaut in June 1998, he reported for training in August 1998. Johnson was the class leader 

for the 17th group of astronauts comprised of 31 U.S. and international members. Astronaut Candidate Training 

included orientation briefings, tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in shuttle and 

International Space Station systems, and physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training. 

Johnson was initially assigned as an Astronaut Support Personnel (ASP) responsible for configuring the orbiter switches 

prior to launch and strapping astronauts in their seats for launch. He then served as the Astronaut Office representative 

for all technical aspects of orbiter landing and roll out issues.

From June 2004 to November 2005, Johnson served as Manager, Launch Integration, for the Space Shuttle Program 

(SSP) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida and served as the Chairman of the SSP Daily Program Requirements 

Board. He also served as the Astronaut Office Deputy, Space Shuttle Program branch and Return to Flight 

Representative. Johnson served as the pilot the final space shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. The mission 

successfully extended and improved the observatory’s capabilities through 2014. In completing STS-125, he logged 

nearly 13 days in space. Johnson is currently a management astronaut assigned as the Chief, Aircraft Operations division 

which manages 26 aircraft of five different types. He is the fifth Chief of the Aircraft Operations Division in over 55 years 

of operations and overseas an operation which deploys worldwide in Gulfstream and WB-57F aircraft. He is a qualified T38 instructor pilot, T-38 examiner pilot, T-38 functional check flight pilot, WB-57F instructor pilot, WB-57F functional 

check flight pilot and high altitude research pilot and KC-97 Super Guppy examiner pilot and aircraft commander pilot.

Spaceflight Experience:

STS-125 Atlantis (May 11 through May 24, 2009). This was the fifth and final Hubble servicing mission. The 19-year-old 

telescope spent six days in the shuttle’s cargo bay undergoing an overhaul conducted by four spacewalkers over five 

daily spacewalks, with the assistance of crewmates inside the Atlantis. The spacewalkers overcame frozen bolts, 

stripped screws, and stuck handrails. The refurbished Hubble Telescope then had four new or rejuvenated scientific 

instruments, new batteries, new gyroscopes, and a new computer. The STS-125 mission was accomplished in 12 days, 

21 hours, 37 minutes and 09 seconds, traveling 5,276,000 miles in 197 Earth orbits.

Awards/Honors:

NASA James A. Korkowski Excellence in Achievement Award; VA-128 Attack Pilot of the Year; Carrier Airwing Fifteen Top 

Ten Tailhook Pilot; Carrier Airwing Fourteen Top Ten Tailhook Pilot; Navy Meritorious Service Medals (three); Navy and 

Marine Corps Commendation Medals (three); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary 

Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal and numerous other U.S. Navy decorations.

Organizations: 

Senior Executive Service, Association Space Explorers, Society of Experimental Test Pilots; American Institute of 

Aeronautics and Astronautics; Tau Beta Pi Honorary Engineering Society; Naval Reserve Association, Tailhook 

Association.