Births on February 13

Stephen Bowen, American engineer, captain, and astronaut

Captain Stephen G. Bowen: From Submarine Depths to the Vistas of Space

Captain Stephen Gerard "Steve" Bowen, born on February 13, 1964, stands as a distinguished figure in both the United States Navy and NASA's astronaut corps. His remarkable career bridges two profoundly challenging environments: the silent, high-pressure world beneath the ocean's surface and the vacuum of orbital space. As a veteran U.S. Navy submariner, Bowen brings a unique blend of discipline, technical expertise, and adaptability to his space missions. He holds the notable distinction of being the second submariner in history to journey into space, following in the footsteps of Dale Gardner, who flew on Space Shuttle missions STS-8 and STS-51-A in the 1980s.

A Distinguished Naval Career Preceding Spaceflight

Bowen's journey to space was built upon a solid foundation of naval service. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986, subsequently completing Submarine School in 1987. His operational career as a submariner included tours on several fast-attack submarines, such as the USS Parche (SSN-683), USS Augusta (SSN-710), and USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720). During his service, he qualified as a Submarine Warfare Officer, mastering complex propulsion systems, navigation, and reactor operations – skills that proved invaluable for the equally intricate environment of spaceflight. This background honed his ability to operate in confined, high-stakes environments, making him an ideal candidate for NASA's astronaut program, which he joined in 2000.

Pioneering Missions Aboard the Space Shuttle

Throughout his career as a NASA astronaut, Stephen Bowen has participated in four significant spaceflights, including three Space Shuttle missions dedicated to the assembly and maintenance of the International Space Station (ISS). These missions were critical for building the orbital outpost into the sprawling research complex it is today, requiring precision, extensive extravehicular activities (EVAs), and close coordination among international crews.

STS-126: Expanding the ISS in 2008

Bowen's inaugural space mission, STS-126 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, launched in November 2008. As a Mission Specialist, he played a crucial role in the ISS Assembly Flight ULF2, which delivered essential equipment, supplies, and expanded crew quarters to the station. During this mission, Bowen performed three challenging spacewalks (EVAs), accumulating 19 hours and 56 minutes outside the station, meticulously working on critical tasks such as preparing for future solar array installations and performing maintenance. This mission marked his first experience with the rigors and beauty of working in the vacuum of space.

STS-132: Delivering Key Components in 2010

His second journey to orbit was STS-132, launched in May 2010 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. This mission, designated ISS Assembly Flight ULF4, was instrumental in delivering the Russian Rassvet Mini Research Module (MRM1) and an Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC) to the ISS. As a Mission Specialist, Bowen again ventured outside the station, conducting two EVAs totaling 14 hours and 34 minutes. These spacewalks involved installing new components and replacing aging batteries, showcasing his continued expertise in orbital construction and maintenance.

STS-133: A Historic, Consecutive Flight for Discovery's Final Voyage in 2011

In March 2011, Stephen Bowen embarked on his third spaceflight as a Mission Specialist on STS-133, marking Space Shuttle Discovery's final planned flight. This mission, ISS Assembly Flight ULF5, delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) Leonardo and the Express Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC4) to the station, significantly enhancing its storage and research capabilities. This flight became particularly historic for Bowen: having flown on both STS-132 and STS-133, he achieved the unprecedented feat of becoming the first and only astronaut to fly on consecutive Space Shuttle missions. This rare occurrence was due to an unforeseen circumstance; astronaut Tim Kopra, originally scheduled for STS-133, sustained a bicycle injury shortly before the mission, leading to Bowen's swift and critical replacement. Bowen performed two more EVAs during STS-133, totaling 12 hours and 46 minutes, bringing his total spacewalk count to seven, with an aggregate time of 47 hours and 18 minutes – a testament to his proficiency and dedication.

Commanding a New Era of Spaceflight: SpaceX Crew-6

On December 16, 2021, NASA announced another pivotal role for Captain Bowen, assigning him as the commander of the SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the International Space Station. This assignment represented a significant transition, moving from the legacy Space Shuttle program to the commercial crew era utilizing SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. The Crew-6 mission successfully launched on March 2, 2023, and docked with the ISS on March 3, 2023, for a long-duration science expedition. As commander, Bowen led a four-person international crew, overseeing critical research, station maintenance, and the safe operation of the Crew Dragon vehicle. This mission, which returned to Earth on September 4, 2023, further cemented his legacy, showcasing his leadership in a new generation of human space exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stephen G. Bowen's Career

How many times has Stephen G. Bowen traveled into space?

Stephen G. Bowen has traveled into space four times: three times aboard the Space Shuttle (STS-126, STS-132, STS-133) and once as commander of the SpaceX Crew-6 mission.

What is unique about Stephen G. Bowen's Space Shuttle missions?

Stephen G. Bowen is the first and only astronaut to fly on consecutive Space Shuttle missions (STS-132 and STS-133). This unusual circumstance arose due to his last-minute replacement of an injured crewmate.

How much time has Stephen G. Bowen spent on spacewalks (EVAs)?

Across his three Space Shuttle missions, Stephen G. Bowen performed a total of seven spacewalks (EVAs), accumulating an impressive 47 hours and 18 minutes working outside the International Space Station.

What was Stephen G. Bowen's role on the SpaceX Crew-6 mission?

Stephen G. Bowen served as the commander for the SpaceX Crew-6 mission, leading his crew on a long-duration expedition to the International Space Station in 2023.

Is Stephen G. Bowen the only submariner to become a NASA astronaut?

No, Stephen G. Bowen is the second submariner to travel into space. The first was Dale Gardner, who flew on Space Shuttle missions in the 1980s. However, Bowen is one of several submariners who have become NASA astronauts.