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Astronaut Appearance

Meet Astronaut Bill McArthur

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

SunSundayJuly 27
MonMondayJuly 28
TueTuesdayJuly 29
WedWednesdayJuly 30
ThuThursdayJuly 31
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Headshot of astronaut Bill McArthur in space suit holding his helmet in front of U.S. flag
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Get the rare opportunity to meet a veteran NASA astronaut every day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Meet the Astronaut of the Day at any of the following opportunities:  

  • Astronaut Encounter – During these presentations, hear from the Astronaut of the Day about his or her unique experience living and working in space. Have your questions ready after the presentation. Astronaut Encounter is included with admission. 
  • Chat With An Astronaut – Enjoy a sampling of food and beverages while having a small-group conversation with the Astronaut of the Day about what it is really like to live and work in space. Chat With An Astronaut can be purchased in addition to admission. 
  • Autograph signings – get the astronaut’s autograph at The Space Shop and Shuttle Express at various times during the day. 

 See the Daily Schedule for the times for each when you arrive.

Learn more about this Astronaut of the Day below.

Headshot of astronaut Bill McArthur in space suit holding his helmet in front of U.S. flag

William “Bill” Sules McArthur

  • Flight Engineer, space shuttle Columbia (STS-58)

  • Mission Specialist, space shuttle Atlantis (STS-74)

  • Flight Engineer, space shuttle Discovery (STS-92)

  • Commander, Expedition 12

William “Bill” McArthur, a seasoned U.S. Army aviator and NASA astronaut with over 9,000 flight hours and four spaceflights, made significant contributions to the space program as a commander aboard the International Space Station and in various leadership roles within NASA.

McArthur, a retired U.S. Army aviator, joined NASA in 1987 as a space shuttle vehicle integration test engineer before being selected as an astronaut in 1990.

Throughout his space career, McArthur completed four spaceflights, logging 224 days, 22 hours, and 28 minutes in space. He performed 24 hours of spacewalk time during missions, including STS-58 Columbia, which expanded understanding of human physiology, and STS-74 Atlantis, which saw NASA’s second docking with the Russian Space Station Mir. McArthur also played a pivotal role on STS-92 Discovery, contributing to the International Space Station’s (ISS) assembly with four spacewalks.

As commander of Expedition 12 aboard the ISS in 2005, McArthur made history by becoming part of the first crew to dock with every Russian port on the station. His crew also completed two spacewalks and relocated their Soyuz spacecraft. In his post-flight career, McArthur managed safety and mission assurance at the Johnson Space Center.

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