Births on February 1

Daniel M. Tani, American engineer and astronaut

Daniel M. Tani, born on February 1, 1961, is a distinguished American engineer and a highly experienced retired NASA astronaut. While his birthplace is recorded as Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, he deeply identifies with Lombard, Illinois, considering it his true hometown where he spent his formative years and attended Glenbard East High School.

Tani's impressive career trajectory began with a solid educational foundation. He earned both his Bachelor of Science (1984) and Master of Science (1988) degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Before joining NASA, Tani honed his expertise at Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, Virginia, where he specialized in launch vehicle orbital mechanics, a critical discipline for spaceflight operations and spacecraft design.

In April 1996, Daniel Tani was selected by NASA as part of Astronaut Group 16, embarking on a remarkable journey in human space exploration. His first spaceflight was aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-108 in December 2001, where he served as a Mission Specialist and conducted his first spacewalk during a visit to the International Space Station (ISS). His second and most extended mission was as a Flight Engineer for Expedition 16 on the ISS, having launched with Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-120) in October 2007 and returning on Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-122) in February 2008. During his more than four months on Expedition 16, Tani accumulated significant operational experience, including performing several challenging spacewalks vital for the station's upkeep.

The Historic 100th Spacewalk on the International Space Station

A notable highlight of Daniel Tani’s career, and a significant milestone in the history of human space exploration, was his participation in the 100th spacewalk (Extravehicular Activity or EVA) conducted from the International Space Station. This momentous EVA, designated EVA-4 for Expedition 16, took place on December 18, 2007. Alongside fellow NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who would later achieve distinction as the first female commander of the ISS, Tani spent 6 hours and 56 minutes outside the orbital outpost. Their primary objective was to thoroughly inspect and attempt to troubleshoot issues with the Starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) on the S4 truss segment of the station. This critical joint is responsible for rotating the massive solar arrays to keep them optimally oriented towards the sun, ensuring continuous power generation for the ISS. The spacewalk involved meticulous cleaning of metallic shavings and debris found within the joint and attempts to activate its rotation, highlighting the essential maintenance and repair work continuously performed in orbit to sustain this complex scientific laboratory. This specific EVA underscored the long-term commitment and collaborative international efforts required for the assembly and operational integrity of the ISS, showcasing the remarkable human capability to work effectively in the vacuum of space.

In total, Daniel Tani completed five spacewalks during his NASA career, accumulating an impressive 33 hours and 49 minutes of extravehicular activity. Across his two space missions, he spent a combined 131 days, 10 hours, and 45 minutes in Earth orbit. Tani retired from NASA in June 2012, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to space exploration and significant contributions to the ISS program's success.

Frequently Asked Questions about Daniel M. Tani

When was Daniel M. Tani born?

Daniel M. Tani was born on February 1, 1961.

Where is Daniel M. Tani from?

While born in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, Daniel M. Tani considers Lombard, Illinois, his hometown, having spent his formative years and attended high school there.

What is Daniel M. Tani known for?

Daniel M. Tani is an American engineer and retired NASA astronaut primarily known for his contributions to the International Space Station (ISS) assembly and maintenance. A significant achievement includes his participation in the historic 100th spacewalk conducted from the ISS, alongside astronaut Peggy Whitson.

How many spacewalks did Daniel Tani perform?

Daniel Tani completed five spacewalks (EVAs) during his NASA career, totaling 33 hours and 49 minutes of extravehicular activity in the vacuum of space.

What was the purpose of the 100th ISS spacewalk?

The 100th ISS spacewalk, conducted by Daniel Tani and Peggy Whitson on December 18, 2007, focused on inspecting and troubleshooting issues with the Starboard Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) on the S4 truss, a critical component for the station's power generation system.