Dr. Norman Thagard is a licensed physician, former U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Captain and naval aviator with over 2,200 flight hours, and NASA astronaut. He has flown five missions and accumulated 140 days in space.

Selected as a NASA astronaut in 1978, Dr. Thagard’s first mission (STS-7 in 1983) involved deploying satellites and conducting medical tests to study physiological changes in astronauts. On STS 51-B in 1985, he managed satellite operations and cared for research animals, including rats and squirrel monkeys. During STS-30 in 1989, he played a crucial role in deploying the Magellan Venus-exploration spacecraft, the first U.S. planetary mission since 1978. This mission marked a significant milestone in planetary exploration, as Magellan mapped the surface of Venus using specialized radar instruments.

As payload commander on STS-42 in 1992, Thagard oversaw 55 experiments in microgravity, investigating the effects on materials and life sciences. This mission provided valuable insights into the growth of protein and semiconductor crystals, as well as the biological effects of zero gravity on various organisms. His final mission, Mir 18 in 1995, involved 28 experiments over 115 days, marking the first time an American astronaut flew on a Russian spacecraft. This mission highlighted international cooperation in space exploration and contributed to a better understanding of long-duration spaceflight. Thagard’s contributions to space exploration include significant advancements in scientific research and international collaboration. He retired from NASA in December 1995.