Born: February 26, 1958
Biography:
Susan Jane Helms, born on February 26, 1958, is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general and NASA astronaut. Throughout her illustrious career, she made significant contributions to both civil and military space programs, leaving a lasting impact on the scientific community.
Helms began her military journey by graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980 with a bachelor of science in aeronautical engineering. She then joined Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where she worked as an F-16 weapons separation engineer at the Air Force Armament Laboratory. Her exceptional skills led to her selection as the lead engineer for F-15 weapons separation in 1982.
In pursuit of further knowledge, Helms pursued a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University, which she obtained in 1985. She then joined the U.S. Air Force Academy as an assistant professor of aeronautics. In 1987, her passion for flight took her to the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where she trained as a flight test engineer.
Helms’ expertise in flight engineering led her to become a USAF Exchange Officer in the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake. There, she worked on the CF-18 aircraft as a flight test engineer and project officer, overseeing the development of a CF-18 flight control system simulation for the Canadian Forces. It was during this time that her exceptional skills caught the attention of NASA, leading to her selection for the astronaut program.
In 1990, Helms embarked on her NASA journey, which spanned 12 years and included a total of 211 days in space. She made history by serving as a crew member on five Space Shuttle missions and residing in the International Space Station (ISS) for over five months during ISS Expedition 2 in 2001. Notably, during this mission, she and Jim Voss set the world record for the longest spacewalk, an impressive 8 hours and 56 minutes.
After her remarkable NASA career, Helms returned to the U.S. Air Force in July 2002. She accepted a position at HQ USAF Space Command before assuming the role of division chief of the Space Superiority Division of the Requirements Directorate of Air Force Space Command in Colorado Springs. Her unwavering dedication and contributions to the field led her to become the vice commander of the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base near Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Helms culminated her extraordinary military career as the commander of the 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) and the Joint Functional Component Command for Space at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. She successfully commanded strategic space forces, ensuring the security and effectiveness of vital U.S. space capabilities.
Helms officially retired from the United States Air Force in 2014, having left an indelible mark on both the Air Force and NASA. Her accomplishments and invaluable contributions to space exploration and national defense have rightfully earned her widespread recognition and admiration.
Awards:
– Inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2020 for her outstanding achievements in civil and military space programs.