Four ERAU Astronauts Visit The Station In 2011

Following the recent return of Embry-Riddle alumni astronauts Alvin Drew and Nicole Stott from their STS-133 space shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS), another ERAU alumnus prepares for his own journey to the station, where he'll spend six months as a flight engineer.

Ron Garan NASA Image

Astronaut Ronald  J. Garan Jr. and two Russian cosmonauts are scheduled for a March 29, 2011, launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan onboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Upon arrival at the space station, Garan will serve as a member of Expeditions 27 and 28. He previously visited the ISS in 2008 as a mission specialist with the STS-124 space shuttle mission, during which he performed three spacewalks.

"I'm obviously looking forward to getting back in space. The first time I flew in space that was the end of a really, really long journey and I had a sense of accomplishment," said Garan, whose life-long aspiration was to become an astronaut. "With my new mission on the space station I'll be able to more fully realize that dream."

When Garan's six-month ISS mission winds down in September 2011, another Embry-Riddle alumnus, astronaut Dan Burbank, will begin a six-month tour of duty on the station as a member of Expeditions 29 and 30. "This is a banner year for Embry-Riddle, with four of our alumni astronauts serving on missions to the space station," said university President John P. Johnson. "In particular, the upcoming long-duration missions will be the experience of a lifetime for Ron and Dan and truly inspiring proof that Embry-Riddle is the best choice for students who seek fulfilling and distinguished careers in aviation, aerospace, and engineering."

Current astronaut Terry Virts Jr. and former astronaut Susan Kilrain are also Embry-Riddle alumni.

Ron Garan graduated from Embry-Riddle in 1994 with a master's degree in aeronautical science from the Las Vegas, NV, campus of the university's Worldwide Campus. He also earned degrees from SUNY College at Oneonta and the University of Florida.

During his 25-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Garan attended the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. He served as a weapons officer, an F-16 aircraft instructor, and an F-16 pilot flying combat missions in Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm before retiring from the Air Force in 2009 with the rank of colonel. Garan's numerous military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross for Combat Valor. Over the course of his lifetime he has logged over 5,000 hours in more than 30 different aircraft.

FMI: www.erau.edu