Robert Curbeam
USAEarly Life and Education
Born on March 5, 1962, in Baltimore, Maryland, the future astronaut embarked on a prestigious educational journey. In 1980, he graduated from Woodlawn High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in 1984. He continued his education, obtaining a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering (1990) and a Doctorate in Aeronautics and Astronautics (1991) from the USNA's postgraduate school.
Military Service
In 1984, the astronaut joined the United States Navy. He served with distinction in the 11th Fighter Squadron aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal, participating in deployments to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Arctic, and Indian Oceans. In 1991, he graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School and became involved in the F-14A/B test program. Subsequently, he transitioned to an assignment at the United States Naval Academy in 1994.
NASA Astronaut
In December 1994, the astronaut's career took a significant turn when he was selected as a NASA astronaut candidate. He underwent comprehensive training at NASA Johnson Space Center from March 1995 to March 1996, preparing him for space missions.
Space Missions
STS-85 (1997): Serving as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Discovery, the astronaut embarked on his maiden spaceflight from August 7-19, 1997. This 11-day mission focused on conducting scientific investigations.
STS-98 (2001): On February 7-18, 2001, the astronaut returned to space as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Atlantis. With a duration of 12 days, the mission's primary objective was to continue construction of the International Space Station. Notably, the astronaut performed three spacewalks during this mission.
Total Spaceflight Time:Over the course of two missions, the astronaut accumulated an impressive 24 days, 17 hours, 47 minutes, and 1 second in space.
Awards and Honors
In recognition of his achievements, the astronaut has been bestowed with numerous awards, including the Air Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. He has also received NASA Space Flight Medals for his contributions to space exploration.
Personal Life
The astronaut is married to Julie Dawn Lein and together they have two children. His hobbies include weightlifting, demonstrating his commitment to physical fitness.
