Astronauts

CHRISTOPHER J. FERGUSON
Director, Crew and Mission Systems
Commercial Crew Program
Space Exploration

Christopher. J. Ferguson (retired U.S. Navy captain and former NASA astronaut) was named Director of Crew and Mission Systems for the Boeing Commercial Crew program, in December 2011. A veteran of three shuttle missions, he reports to John Mulholland, vice president and program manager of Commercial Programs.

In this essential role in Boeing’s human spaceflight program, Ferguson has comprehensive oversight for crew Interface in the design of Boeing’s Commercial Crew Transportation System. In this capacity, he works with NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Directorate, Johnson Space Center’s Engineering, Flight Crew and Mission Operations organizations and Kennedy Space Center’s Commercial Crew Program to ensure Boeing’s design supports NASA’s Human Rating Requirements. He also plays a key leadership role in the development and testing of system concepts and key technologies for the Commercial Space Transportation (CST)-100 spacecraft and integrated launch and ground systems.

The development of a safe, reliable, and cost-effective solution for crew transportation to and from the International Space Station will allow this on-orbit research facility to continue to fulfill its promise as a world-class laboratory.

Ferguson was pilot of STS-115 (Atlantis) and commander of STS-126 (Endeavour) and the final shuttle mission, STS-135 (Atlantis). He has logged more than 40 days in space and 5,700 hours in high performance aircraft. He also served as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office and was spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-118, -120, -128 and -129 missions. His experience in crew communications, both on orbit and in the CAPCOM role, is a strong asset in his new Boeing role.

Ferguson has a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University and a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He has been recognized with numerous service awards and citations, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Strike/Flight Air Medal, NASA Spaceflight Medal (three), Navy Commendation Medal (three) and the Navy Achievement Medal.

SERENA M. AUÑÓN (M.D.)
NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born on April 9, 1976, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Considers Fort Collins, Colorado, to be her hometown. Recreational interests include basketball, softball, martial arts, cricket, hiking and jet skiing.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Poudre High School, Fort Collins, Colorado in 1993. Received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 1997 and a Doctorate of Medicine from The University of Texas – Health Science Center at Houston in 2001. Completed a three-year residency in internal medicine at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas, in 2004, and then completed an additional year as chief resident in the Internal Medicine Department in 2005. She also completed an aerospace medicine residency at UTMB as well as a Master of Public Health in 2007. She is board certified in Internal and Aerospace Medicine.

ORGANIZATIONS: American College of Physicians; American College of Preventive Medicine; Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society; Aerospace Medical Association and Tau Beta Pi, The National Engineering Honor Society

SPECIAL HONORS: United States Air Force Flight Surgeons Julian Ward Award (2009), Outstanding UTMB Resident Award (2007), William K. Douglas Award (2006), Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society (2005), Thomas N. and Gleaves James Award for Excellent Performance by a Third-Year Resident in Internal Medicine (2004).

EXPERIENCE: Dr. Auñón came to Johnson Space Center in August 2006, employed as a Flight Surgeon under the UTMB/Wyle Bioastronautics contract. She spent more than nine months in Russia supporting medical operations for International Space Station crew members in Star City, including water survival training in the Ukraine. Dr. Auñón served as the Deputy Crew Surgeon for STS-127. She also held the role of Deputy Lead for Orion – Medical Operations.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Dr. Auñón was selected in July 2009 as one of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. She graduated in November 2011 from Astronaut Candidate Training that included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in space station systems, Extravehicular Activities (EVAs), robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training and water and wilderness survival training. Currently, Dr. Auñón serves in the International Space Station Operations Branch to handle medical issues and the Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) Branch as a certified space station CAPCOM.

LINDSAY T. AITCHISON
Deputy Project Manager
AES Advanced Space Suit

PERSONAL DATA: Born May 11, 1983 in Wichita Falls, TX. Married to John J. Aitchison. Recreational interests include paddleboarding, CrossFit, running, photography, SCUBA, and her dogs Homer and Stu.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Norman North High School, Norman, OK in 2001. Entered Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, in August 2001. Began the cooperative education (co-op) program at Johnson Space Center in August 2002. Completed five co-op tours prior to receiving Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2006. MS in Human Factors Engineering 2011 from Wright State University with emphasis on human-in-the-loop testing.

WORK EXPERIENCE: As a co-op student, Lindsay worked in four different areas: International Space Station Thermal Systems Flight Control group during STS-112 and STS-113 missions; Space Shuttle Guidance, Navigation, & Control group where she helped develop abort site selection software; Advanced Portable Life Support System (PLSS) group where she modeled PLSS controls work envelope for the MK-III advanced space suit and developed a sizing tool for PLSS oxygen tanks; and Advanced Space Suits group where she developed mock-ups for evaluation during the Desert Research and Technology Studies (D-RATS) field tests and conducted tests to investigate the feasibility and optimization of minimum volume air-lock and suit-port concepts. She began working full-time with NASA in May 2006. From May 2006 through Nov. 2009, Lindsay served as project engineer and Lunar Configuration Lead for the Constellation Space Suit Pressure Garment Subsystem. Following her role in Constellation, Lindsay served as the space suit assembly (SSA) lead for the Shuttle EMU Engineering Subsystem Manager team. In 2012, Lindsay returned to the development side of space suits as the High Performance EVA Glove Development Lead, where her efforts focused on the design, build, and test of new technologies for glove applications. Lindsay was promoted to her current position as the Deputy Project Manager for the Advanced Space Suit Project in March 2014 and continues to work with her team to develop space suit components that will enable human exploration of asteroids, the Moon, and Mars.