Christopher J. Ferguson, a retired U.S. Navy captain and former NASA astronaut.

Ferguson, a NASA astronaut for 13 years, is veteran of three space shuttle missions. Prior to his service as an astronaut, he was an F-14 Tomcat pilot and test pilot who served aboard the USS Forrestal and USS Nimitz.

Ferguson leverages his space shuttle experience as pilot of STS-115 (Atlantis), commander of STS-126 (Endeavour) and commander of the final shuttle mission, STS-135 (Atlantis). He has logged more than 40 days in space, 5,700 hours in high performance aircraft, and nearly 400 carrier arrested landings.

Ferguson has a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia and a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. He holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate and a Professional Engineer’s license. Ferguson has been recognized with numerous service awards and citations, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Strike/Flight Air Medal, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and NASA Spaceflight Medals.