Jay Clark Buckey Jr.
USAJay Clarke Buky
Jay Clarke Buky is an American physician, astronaut, and politician. He has a distinguished career in medicine, space exploration, and public service.
Early Life and Career
Buky was born in 1956. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. After graduating, he worked as an aviation medicine physician with the 457th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas, from 1987 to 1995.
NASA Career
Buky was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in 1996. He flew into space as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia mission STS-90 in April 1998. The primary payload for this mission was the Neurolab, and Buky conducted 26 medical experiments studying the effects of microgravity on the human brain and nervous system. The mission lasted for 15 days, 21 hours, 49 minutes, and 59 seconds.
Political Career
In 2008, Buky ran as a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate from New Hampshire. His campaign focused on promoting energy independence. He withdrew from the race in favor of fellow Democrat Jeanne Shaheen.
