posted 05-07-2013 03:46 PM               

Virgin Galactic, the world's first commercial spaceline, announced today that pilots Frederick "CJ" Sturckow and Michael "Sooch" Masucci have been selected to join its commercial flight team. As Virgin Galactic clears its final flight test program milestones with powered flight tests now under way, the necessary addition of new pilots will enable the company to meet the test schedule demands and prepare for subsequent commercial operations.

Sturckow, a veteran of four space shuttle missions and retired U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Colonel, is the first NASA astronaut to be hired into Galactic's pilot corps. Masucci, a retired U.S. Air Force (USAF) Lieutenant Colonel, joins Virgin Galactic from XOJET Inc, a private airline company where he was a Citation X (CE750) Captain and Check Airman. Masucci and Sturckow will report to Chief Pilot David Mackay and Vice President of Operations Mike Moses at Virgin Galactic's Mojave, Calif., location where they will conduct flight training and testing with Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo vehicles.

Sturckow has more than 26 years of military flight experience and has logged more than 1,200 hours in space. During his flight career, Sturckow logged over 6,500 flight hours, flew more than 60 different aircraft, and was chosen to attend the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). Selected by NASA to join the astronaut corps in December 1994, Sturckow flew on four space shuttle missions to the International Space Station. In 2009, after 25 years of active duty service, Sturckow retired from the USMC. Sturckow went on to serve as deputy chief of NASA's Astronaut Office for the final shuttle missions, flying weather reconnaissance in the T-38 and Shuttle Training Aircraft for launch and landing.

"Viewing the Earth from space is such a unique and unforgettable experience," Sturckow said. "I'm excited to be a part of the Virgin Galactic team that is revolutionizing access to space, making this opportunity a possibility for all."

posted 05-09-2013 05:12 PM               

NASA Astronaut Rick "CJ" Sturckow Leaves Agency

NASA astronaut Rick "CJ" Sturckow has left the agency and accepted a position with Virgin Galactic as pilot on their Commercial Flight Team. A veteran of four space shuttle flights, Sturckow served first as pilot on STS-88 in 1998 and STS-105 in 2001 and later as commander on STS-117 in 2007 and STS-128 in 2009.

Before joining NASA, Sturckow served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a pilot and flew combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. He joined the astronaut corps in 1995. During his 18-year tenure at NASA, Sturckow served in multiple technical and leadership roles supporting Johnson Space Center’s Astronaut Office including chief of the Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) Branch and chief of the International Space Station Branch.

"CJ will certainly be missed by the Astronaut Office," said Bob Behnken, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "He was a role model for leadership, and his expertise as an aviator and shuttle commander led to the success of the shuttle and station missions. His experience in spaceflight and ground operations will be difficult to replace within our organization. We look forward to his continued contributions to the future of spaceflight as he moves on to the next phase of his career."

Sturckow holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University and a Master of Science in mechanical engineering.

Sturckow retired from the Marine Corps as a colonel, in September, 2009, after 25 years of active duty service. He has logged more than 6,500 flight hours in more than 60 different aircraft. He ends his NASA career having logged more than 1,200 hours in space.

posted 05-09-2013 10:23 PM               

New SpaceShipTwo pilot and four-time Space Shuttle astronaut CJ Sturckow flew WhiteKnightTwo for the first time today!