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

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

March 2023

Megan McArthur

(Ph.D.) NASA Astronaut

Summary:

Megan McArthur was selected as an astronaut in 2000. She holds a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from 

the University of California, Los Angeles and a Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of California, San Diego where 

she performed research activities at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

In 2021, McArthur spent 200 days in space conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations aboard the

International Space Station. She also served as Crew-2 pilot aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour which carried 

the crew to and from the ISS.

In 2009, McArthur served as a Mission Specialist for STS-125 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis for the final mission to the 

Hubble Space Telescope. The successful 13-day mission improved the telescope’s capabilities and extended its life – it is 

still in operation today.

Personal Data:

Born in 1971 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Considers California to be her home state. Married with one child. Parents Don and Kit 

McArthur reside in San Jose, California. Megan enjoys SCUBA diving, backpacking, and cooking.

Education:

Graduated from St. Francis High School, Mountain View, California, 1989; Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering 

from University of California, Los Angeles, 1993; Ph.D. in oceanography from University of California, San Diego, 2002.

Experience:

At the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, McArthur conducted graduate research in nearshore underwater acoustic 

propagation and digital signal processing. Her research focused on determining geoacoustic models to describe very 

shallow water waveguides using measured transmission loss data in a genetic algorithm inversion technique. She served 

as Chief Scientist during at-sea data collection operations, and has planned and led diving operations during sea-floor 

instrument deployments and sediment-sample collections. While at Scripps, she participated in a range of in-water 

instrument testing, deployment, maintenance and recovery, and collection of marine plants, animals and sediment. 

During this time, McArthur also volunteered at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, conducting educational demonstrations 

for the public from inside a 70,000 gallon exhibit tank of the California Kelp Forest.

NASA Experience:

Selected as a Mission Specialist by NASA in July 2000, McArthur reported for training in August 2000. Following the 

completion of two years of Astronaut Candidate training and evaluation, she was assigned to the Astronaut Office 

Shuttle Operations Branch working technical issues on shuttle systems in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory 

(SAIL). She has also worked in the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Mission Control Centers as a Capsule 

Communicator (CAPCOM) and has served as a Crew Support Astronaut for Expedition Crews during their six-month 
http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies

Megan McArthur 

missions aboard the International Space Station. McArthur was the Astronaut Office Lead for visiting vehicles during the 

first commercial cargo missions to the International Space Station. She served as the Deputy Chief of the Astronaut 

Office, supporting crews in training and aboard the International Space Station.

Spaceflight Experience:

STS-125 (May 11 - May 24, 2009). This was the fifth and final Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission. McArthur 

worked as the flight engineer during launch and landing. She served as robotic arm operator as she carefully retrieved 

the telescope and placed it in the shuttle’s cargo bay. The 19-year-old telescope then spent six days undergoing an 

overhaul during 5 days of spacewalks. The spacewalkers were supported by McArthur operating the robotic arm. The 

team 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 9 seconds, traveling 5,276,000 miles in 197 Earth orbits.

Crew-2 (April 23, 2021 - November 8, 2021) was the second commercial crew rotation mission aboard the International 

Space Station and the third crewed flight for that spacecraft. She also served as Flight Engineer on the International 

Space Station for Expedition 65/66. She contributed to many things while aboard the station including a host of scientific 

investigations, technology demonstrations, and maintenance activities. She completed 199 days in orbit during this 

mission, bringing her total time in space to 212 days over two spaceflights.

Pronunciation:

MEH-gun MACK-arthur