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

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

February 2022

Stephen G. Bowen

(Captain, USN, Ret.) NASA Astronaut

Summary:

Stephen G. Bowen (Captain, U.S. Navy, Ret.) was the first Submarine Officer to be selected as an astronaut by NASA. 

Bowen is a veteran of STS-126, STS-132, and STS-133. The STS-126 mission was the 27th International Space Station 

(ISS) assembly mission. The crew delivered equipment and supplies as well as expanded the living quarters to house sixmember crews aboard ISS. STS -132 delivered an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian Mini Research Module. 

STS-133 delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) and the fourth Express Logistics Carrier (ELC) to the 

station. He has logged more than 40 days in space including 47 hours and 18 minutes in seven spacewalks. He is 

currently training for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 Mission to the International Space Station.

Personal Data:

Born on February 13, 1964, in Cohasset, Massachusetts. Married to the former Deborah Alden; they have three 

children.

Education:

Graduated from Cohasset High School, Cohasset, Massachusetts, 1982. Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, 

United States Naval Academy, 1986. Master of Science in Ocean Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program, 1993.

Experience:

Upon completion of the submarine training pipeline Bowen spent three years attached to USS PARCHE (SSN 683) and 

completed qualification in Submarines on USS POGY (SSN 647). After attending the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Ocean 

Engineering he reported to USS AUGUSTA (SSN 710) for duty as the Engineering Officer. During this tour Bowen 

qualified for command of nuclear powered submarines. In 1997, he reported to the United States Special Operations 

Command (USSOCOM) in the Office of Plans and Policy and worked on the USSOCOM Future Concepts Working Group. 

For nine months in 1999, Bowen was the Reactor and Propulsion inspector for the Navy's Submarine Board of Inspection 

and Survey (INSURV). In May 2000, he became the first Executive Officer of the Pre-Commissioning Unit VIRGINIA (SSN 

774), the first of the new VIRGINIA Class submarines.

NASA Experience:

In July 2000, Bowen was the first Submarine Officer selected by NASA as a Mission Specialist. He reported for training at 

the Johnson Space Center in August 2000. Following the completion of two years of training and evaluation, he was 

initially assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Station Operations Branch. A veteran of three spaceflights, STS126 in 2008, STS-132 in 2010, and STS-133 in 2011, Bowen has logged a total of 47 days, 10 hours, 4 minutes and 37 

seconds in space, including 47 hours and 18 minutes in seven spacewalks.
 http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies

Stephen G. Bowen

Spaceflight Experience:

STS-126 (November 14 to November 30, 2008). Endeavour launched at night from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, 

and returned to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California. It was NASA’s fourth shuttle flight in 2008 and the 27th 

International Space Station assembly mission. Highlights of the almost 16-day mission included expanding the living 

quarters of the space station to eventually house six-member crews by delivering a new bathroom, kitchen, two 

bedrooms, an exercise machine, and a water recycling system. During the mission, Bowen performed three spacewalks. 

STS-126 also delivered a new resident to the station, replacing Greg Chamitoff, Expedition 17-18 with Sandy Magnus, 

Expedition 18. STS-126 returned to Earth after completing 250 orbits in more than 6 million miles.

STS-132 (May 14 to May 26, 2010). This was the 132nd space shuttle flight, and the 32nd shuttle flight to the 

International Space Station. The Atlantis orbitor was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and docked with 

the space station on May 16 to deliver an Integrated Cargo Carrier and a Russian-build Mini Research Module. During 

seven days of docked operations, three spacewalks were conducted and Bowen logged 14 hours and 34 minutes in two 

spacewalks. During the first spacewalk, Garrett Reisman and Bowen installed a spare antenna and a stowage platform. 

On the second spacewalk, Bowen and Michael Good replaced batteries on the P6 Truss that stores solar energy. On the 

final spacewalk, Good and Reisman replaced the last of the P6 Truss batteries and retrieved a power data grapple fixture 

for installation at a later date. The STS-132 mission was completed in 186 orbits, traveling 4,879,978 miles in 11 days, 

18 hours, 28 minutes and 2 seconds.

STS-133 (February 24 to March 9, 2011). This was the 39th and final mission for space shuttle Discovery. During the 13-

day flight, the Discovery crew delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module and the fourth Express Logistics Carrier to 

the station. The mission’s two space walks assisted in outfitting the truss of the station and completed a variety of other 

tasks designed to upgrade station systems. The mission was accomplished in 202 Earth orbits, traveling 5.3 million miles 

in 307 hours and 3 minutes.

Bowen is currently training for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 Mission to the International Space Station.

Pronunciation: 

STEE-vun BO-win