http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/terry-w-virts http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

March 2016

Terry W. Virts, Jr.

(Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Retired) NASA Astronaut

Summary:

Terry W. Virts, Jr. was selected by NASA in 2000. The Maryland native graduated with Academic Distinction from the 

United States Air Force Academy in 1989 and has logged over 4,300 flight hours in more than 40 different aircraft. He 

served as the Endeavour pilot for STS-130 in 2010, and was assigned to Expedition 42/43, where he served as 

commander for Expedition 43 in 2015. Virts has conducted three spacewalks totaling more than 19 hours and has 

logged 212 days in space on his two flights. He is currently assigned to the Extravehicular Activity Robotics branch.

Personal Data:

Born in December 1967, in Baltimore, Maryland, but considers Columbia, Maryland, to be his hometown. Married with 

two children. Virts enjoys baseball, astronomy and coaching youth sports.

Education:

Oakland Mills High School, Columbia, Maryland, 1985; Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (French minor), U.S. Air Force 

Academy, 1989; Master of Science in Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1997; General Management 

Program, Harvard Business School, 2011.

Experience:

Virts attended the Ecole de l’Air (French Air Force Academy) in 1988 on an exchange program from the United States Air 

Force Academy. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Air Force 

Academy in 1989. He earned his pilot wings from Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, in 1990. From there, Virts completed 

basic fighter and F-16 training and was assigned to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, as an operational F-16 pilot in the 

307th Tactical Fighter Squadron. After Hurricane Andrew struck Homestead in 1992, his squadron was moved to Moody 

Air Force Base, Georgia. From 1993 to 1994, he served in the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, 

where he flew low-altitude night attack missions in the F-16. Following his tour in Korea, he was reassigned to the 22nd 

Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, from 1995 to 1998. There, he flew the suppression of enemy air 

defenses missions, logging 45 combat missions in the F-16. Virts was a member of the United States Air Force Test Pilot 

School class 98B at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Following graduation, he was an Experimental Test Pilot at the F16 Combined Test Force at Edwards from 1999 until his selection as a member of the 18th group of astronaut candidates 

in 2000. While at Edwards he served as the chief test pilot for the F-16 HARM Targeting System (HTS) as well as the 

Multi-Mission Computer (MMC) programs, the largest upgrade program in the 40-year history of the F-16.

He has logged over 5,300 flight hours in more than 40 different aircraft.
http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/terry-w-virts http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts

Terry W. Virts, Jr.

NASA Experience:

Selected as a pilot by NASA in July 2000, Virts reported for training in August 2000. His technical assignments to date 

have included lead astronaut for the T-38 program, Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) test crew member, 

Expedition 9 Crew Support astronaut and lead astronaut for appearances. He has worked as a Capsule Communicator 

(CAPCOM) from Expedition 8 to 19 as well as STS-115 to STS-126, communicating with station and shuttle crews from 

Mission Control in Houston. He also served as the lead Ascent and Entry CAPCOM, Chief of the Astronaut Office 

Robotics Branch and lead astronaut for the Space Launch System heavy lift booster.

Terry Virts retired from NASA August 2016.

Spaceflight Experience:

STS-130 (February 8 to February 21, 2010). Endeavour launched to the International Space Station with the final 

permanent modules: Tranquility and Cupola. Tranquility (or Node 3) is now the life-support hub of the space station, 

containing exercise, water recycling and environmental control systems, while the Cupola provides the largest set of 

windows ever flown in space. These seven windows, which are arranged in a hemisphere, provide a spectacular and 

panoramic view of our planet and afford crews a direct view of station robotic operations. As pilot, Virts was 

responsible for assisting Commander George Zamka during launch, landing, rendezvous and orbital maneuvering. He 

was also the mission’s lead robotic operator and was responsible for much of the internal outfitting of Tranquility and 

Cupola. During the 13-day, 18-hour mission, Endeavour traveled more than 5.7 million miles and completed 217 orbits 

of the Earth.

Expedition 42/43 (December 2014 through June 11, 2015). Virts was assigned as commander for Expedition 43, which 

launched on a Russian Soyuz on December 2014. The crew was onboard station to observe the first flight test of the 

new Orion spacecraft on Exploration Flight Test-1. They also greeted two SpaceX/Dragon cargo craft, one Progress 

resupply vehicle, saw the departure of the “Georges Lemaitre” Automated Transfer Vehicle (the final ESA ATV cargo 

vehicle), the departure of the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft and the 40S crew as well as being onboard for the arrival of 

the Soyuz TMA-16M spacecraft and the one-year crew. Virts conducted three spacewalks totaling 19 hours and 2 

minutes (with Butch Wilmore) to rig the wiring for the upcoming delivery of the International Docking Adapters. Virts 

returned to Earth June 11, 2015 logging in more than 213 days in space on two flights.

Awards/Honors:

Graduated with Academic Distinction from the United States Air Force Academy and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical 

University; Distinguished Graduate of Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, and F-16 training 

at Macdill Air Force Base, Florida. Military decorations include the NASA Space Flight Medal, Defense Meritorious 

Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, 

Air Force Commendation Medal, et al.

Pronunciation: 

TAIR-ree VUR-ts