Early Life and Education:

Tracy Caldwell Dyson was born on August 14, 1969, in Arcadia, California. She earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of California, Irvine.

NASA Career:

Dyson joined NASA in 1998 and became an astronaut candidate in 2000. She completed astronaut training in 2002 and was assigned to the astronaut corps.

Space Missions:

Dyson has flown on three space missions:

Mission	Launch Date	Duration
STS-118	August 8, 2007	12 days, 17 hours, 55 minutes
Soyuz TMA-18	October 12, 2010	169 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes
Soyuz TMA-01M	October 7, 2012	123 days, 12 hours, 30 minutes

Contributions to Space Exploration:

During her spacewalks, Dyson has performed numerous tasks, including:

Conducting scientific experiments
Installing and repairing equipment
Capturing samples from a comet

Dyson has also participated in several underwater exploration missions, which have helped NASA develop technologies and techniques for future space exploration.

Awards and Honors:

Dyson has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including:

NASA Distinguished Service Medal
NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal
American Astronautical Society Space Flight Award
National Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee

Personal Life:

Dyson is married to fellow astronaut Mark Kelly. They have two children.

FAQ:

What is Tracy Caldwell Dyson’s birthdate? August 14, 1969
How many space missions has Caldwell Dyson flown on? three
What is Caldwell Dyson’s field of study? chemistry and medicine
Who is Caldwell Dyson’s husband? Mark Kelly
What is the name of the university Caldwell Dyson earned her medical degree from? University of California, Irvine

References:

Table of Contents

Astronaut

Astronauts are highly trained individuals who travel into space for scientific research and exploration. They are responsible for conducting experiments, repairing and maintaining spacecraft, and operating space equipment. Astronauts undergo extensive training to prepare for the challenges of space travel, including zero gravity, radiation exposure, and the psychological effects of isolation. They work closely with engineers, scientists, and other professionals to ensure the success of their missions. Astronauts play a vital role in expanding our understanding of the universe and helping us to advance technology.

NASA Astronaut Corps

The NASA Astronaut Corps is an elite group of highly trained individuals who are responsible for conducting human spaceflight missions. Astronauts undergo rigorous training and must possess specific skills and qualifications, including a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft, and excellent physical health.

Members of the Astronaut Corps play various roles during space missions, such as:

Operating and maintaining spacecraft and equipment
Conducting scientific research and experiments
Performing spacewalks and extravehicular activities
Serving as mission commanders and leaders

The NASA Astronaut Corps has a rich history dating back to the early days of the space race. Over the decades, astronauts have made significant contributions to our understanding of space, advanced scientific research, and inspired generations of people worldwide.

International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) is a modular space station in low Earth orbit. It is a multi-national collaborative project that has been continuously inhabited by astronauts from various countries since 2000. The ISS provides a platform for scientific research, technological development, and human spaceflight operations. It is used for a variety of research activities, including:

Life sciences
Physical sciences
Earth observations
Space exploration

The ISS also serves as a testbed for new technologies and a base for future human missions to Mars and beyond. The station is approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) above Earth’s surface and travels at a speed of approximately 28,000 kilometers (17,500 miles) per hour. It completes one orbit around Earth every 90 minutes.

American Astronaut

American astronauts are individuals selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to perform space missions. They are highly trained and skilled professionals who possess the expertise and physical and mental resilience to work in the unique and challenging environment of space. American astronauts have made significant contributions to space exploration, science, and the advancement of human knowledge. They have conducted spacewalks, repaired satellites, assembled the International Space Station, and conducted groundbreaking scientific experiments. Additionally, American astronauts have played a crucial role in inspiring future generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers. Their courage, perseverance, and dedication have made them symbols of human ingenuity and the limitless potential for human achievement.

NASA Astronaut

NASA astronauts are highly skilled individuals who are selected based on their rigorous training and experience in scientific research, engineering, and piloting. They are responsible for carrying out complex missions in space, conducting scientific experiments, and maintaining the International Space Station. Astronauts undergo extensive astronaut training, which includes physical, psychological, scientific, and technical training. They must maintain excellent physical health and fitness, be able to work independently and as part of a crew, and be skilled in communication and problem-solving. Astronauts often have advanced degrees in science or engineering, and they continue to train throughout their careers to stay abreast of the latest developments in space technology and science.

Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson

Tracy Caldwell Dyson is an American astronaut who has completed three space missions. She is a veteran of six spacewalks and has spent a total of 188 days in space. Caldwell Dyson was born in Arcadia, California, in 1969. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and a doctorate in chemistry from the University of California, Irvine.

Caldwell Dyson was selected to join NASA’s astronaut corps in 2000. Her first space mission was in 2007, when she served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station. She returned to the space station in 2010 and 2014, serving as mission commander on both missions.

Caldwell Dyson is a highly accomplished astronaut and scientist. She has made significant contributions to space research and exploration. She is an inspiration to young people who dream of becoming astronauts.

Tracy Caldwell Dyson NASA

Tracy Caldwell Dyson is a former NASA astronaut and flight surgeon who flew three space shuttle missions: STS-118, STS-120, and STS-131. She was selected as an astronaut in 1998 and retired from NASA in 2018.

Dyson was born in Arcadia, California, and earned a B.S. in chemistry from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an M.D. from the University of California, Davis. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of Washington and a fellowship in aerospace medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

Dyson’s spaceflight experience includes three spacewalks totaling over 22 hours. She was the first woman to perform a spacewalk for NASA outside of the International Space Station (ISS). During her third spacewalk, she became the first woman to repair a communications antenna on the ISS.

Dyson has received numerous awards and honors for her work as an astronaut, including the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and the Order of the Red Star (Russia). She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Aerospace Medical Association.

Dyson is currently a professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego.

Tracy Caldwell Dyson Biography

Tracy Caldwell Dyson is an American physician and astronaut. Born in Arcadia, California, she earned a degree in chemistry from California Polytechnic State University and a doctorate in medicine from the University of California, Davis.

She joined NASA in 1998, serving as a flight surgeon for the International Space Station (ISS). In 2007, she became the second African American woman to travel into space when she served as a mission specialist on the STS-118 mission to the ISS. She returned to the ISS in 2010 as part of Expedition 24.

Tracy Caldwell Dyson Mission

Tracy Caldwell Dyson is an American astronaut who has completed three space missions:

STS-118 (2007): She served as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which delivered a new truss segment to the International Space Station (ISS).
STS-125 (2009): She again served as a mission specialist on Atlantis, which delivered the final Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission.
Expedition 23/24 (2010): She spent six months on the ISS as a flight engineer, conducting scientific research and performing maintenance tasks.

During her missions, Caldwell Dyson completed six spacewalks, totaling over 39 hours of extravehicular activity (EVA). She was responsible for assembling and maintaining the ISS, troubleshooting hardware, and conducting experiments. Her contributions have advanced our understanding of space and helped to pave the way for future human space exploration.

Tracy Caldwell Dyson’s Accomplishments

Tracy Caldwell Dyson is an American astronaut, chemist, and medical doctor. She has flown in space three times and spent a total of 224 days in space. Here are some of her notable accomplishments:

She became the second African American woman to conduct a spacewalk in 2007.
In 2010, she became the first African American woman to fly to the International Space Station.
She was a member of the Expedition 24 crew aboard the ISS and spent 174 days in space.
She was the first African American woman to serve as a NASA astronaut instructor.
She served as the ISS Operations Integration Manager at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
She was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame in 2014.
She received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal.

Tracy Caldwell Dyson Family

Tracy Caldwell Dyson, an American astronaut, engineer, and chemical oceanographer, has a family that includes:

Spouse: Robert "Hoot" Gibson, a retired astronaut who served as mission specialist on two space shuttle missions.
Children: Two sons, Cole and Liam.
Parents: James and Betty Caldwell, both educators and former school administrators in California.
Siblings: Two brothers, Jeff and Thomas, and a sister, Karen.

Tracy Caldwell Dyson Education

Tracy Caldwell Dyson holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo (1993) and a doctorate in chemistry from the University of California, Irvine (1998). She has also completed astronaut training at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Tracy Caldwell Dyson Training

Tracy Caldwell Dyson, a NASA astronaut, underwent rigorous training to prepare her for her missions in space. This training included:

Physical Training: Fitness and endurance tests, water survival training, and altitude simulations.
Technical Training: Studying spacecraft systems, mission procedures, and scientific experiments.
Mission-Specific Training: Simulations and mockups to prepare for specific mission tasks.
Crew Resource Management: Teamwork, communication, and leadership skills training.
Spacewalk Training: Zero-gravity drills and simulated spacewalks in underwater environments.
Medical Training: Emergency medical procedures and self-sufficiency in space.
Language Training: Russian, the language used on the International Space Station.

Tracy Caldwell Dyson Awards

The Tracy Caldwell Dyson Awards, established in 2011 by the Aerospace Corporation, recognize exceptional individuals and organizations that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in aerospace engineering and related fields. The awards are named after Tracy Caldwell Dyson, a former NASA astronaut who was renowned for her contributions to space exploration and for promoting diversity and outreach.

The awards include the following categories:

Early Career Professional Award: Recognizes individuals with less than 10 years of professional experience who have made significant contributions to diversity and inclusion in aerospace.
Leadership Award: Honors individuals with more than 10 years of experience who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Organizational Excellence Award: Recognizes organizations that have implemented innovative and effective programs to foster diversity and inclusion in their workplaces.

The awards are presented annually at the Aerospace Corporation’s Diversity and Inclusion Conference. Recipients receive a cash prize, a trophy, and recognition on the Aerospace Corporation’s website and social media platforms.

Tracy Caldwell Dyson Honors

Tracy Caldwell Dyson, a renowned astronaut and former NASA astronaut, has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout her esteemed career:

NASA Exceptional Service Medal (2007): Recognizing her outstanding contributions to space exploration and scientific research.
NASA Astronaut of the Year Award (2007): Bestowed upon her for exceptional performance as a crew member of the International Space Station.
Honorary Doctorate of Science from Converse College (2009): In recognition of her groundbreaking achievements in the fields of science, space, and exploration.
Induction into the South Carolina Women’s Hall of Fame (2014): Honoring her as an inspirational role model and a trailblazer for women in STEM fields.
NASA Space Flight Awareness Award (2016): Recognizing her exceptional contributions to advancing the public’s understanding of space exploration.

Tracy Caldwell Dyson’s Achievements

Tracy Caldwell Dyson is an American astronaut, medical doctor, and engineer known for her groundbreaking contributions to space exploration. Here are some of her notable achievements:

First African American woman to perform a spacewalk: In 2007, Dyson became the first African American woman to participate in a spacewalk during the STS-118 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Longest spacewalk by a female astronaut: During her second spacewalk on the STS-118 mission, Dyson broke the record for the longest spacewalk by a female astronaut, spending over 7 hours outside the ISS.
Mission Specialist on three NASA Space Shuttle missions: Dyson served as a Mission Specialist on the STS-118, STS-122, and STS-133 Space Shuttle missions, making her one of the most experienced astronauts in the program.
Commander of ISS Expedition 23: In 2011, Dyson became the first female commander of the International Space Station, leading a crew of six astronauts and overseeing operations aboard the orbital laboratory.
Numerous awards and honors: Dyson has received numerous awards and honors for her accomplishments, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and the Candace Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.