posted 08-23-2016 03:26 PM               

Veteran Astronaut Terry Virts Retires from NASA

With more than 3,600 orbits of the Earth under his belt, astronaut Terry Virts will leave NASA on Aug. 23. Over the course of his 16-year-career at NASA, he piloted a space shuttle and commanded the International Space Station.

Virts, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, considers Columbia, Maryland, his hometown. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Harvard Business School. He also was a member of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School class 98B at Edwards Air Force Base in California, and served as an experimental test pilot in the F-16 Combined Test Force there before being selected for the astronaut class of 2000.

During his time on the ground at NASA, Virts served in a variety of technical assignments, including as the lead astronaut for the T-38 training jet program, chief of the astronaut office’s robotic branch and lead astronaut for the Space Launch System rocket program.

In space, Virts served as space shuttle pilot for the STS-130 mission in 2010, helping to deliver the Tranquility module to the space station, along with its cupola bay windows. He then returned to the station in December of 2014, serving as flight engineer for Expedition 42, and commander on Expedition 43. Virts spent a total of 213 days space and conducted three spacewalks for a total of 19 hours and 2 minutes outside of the space station.

posted 10-12-2016 02:06 PM               

He looks forward to the next step in his journey — sharing with people in all corners of the world the unique stories, perspectives and insights of a pilot, astronaut, author and photographer.

posted 04-05-2021 05:32 PM               

Astronaut Terry Virts Launches 'Down to Earth' Podcast Series

Test pilot gets down and dirty back on Earth

Down to Earth, a new weekly podcast hosted by astronaut Colonel Terry Virts, explores subjects that matter down here on planet Earth, every Wednesday.

Virts, a former NASA astronaut, author, filmmaker and speaker dives into tough topics. The podcast features in-depth conversations with dynamic guests from diverse backgrounds. Topics include newsworthy debate and discussion on science, climate, film and television, politics, entrepreneurship, sports and space.

"After appearing on NPR's 'Are We There Yet?', The Comedy Cellar, The Joe Rogan Experience and more, I thought this is something I can do, that I want to do," says Virts. "Plus, I think I'm the first astronaut to host a podcast, so hopefully this will rise to the top of the podcast charts."

With humor and personal insight, Virts brings his own unique "cosmic perspective" to each episode. Upcoming guests include:

• Larry Kopald, Founder of The Carbon Underground
  
• Eric Berger, Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica
  
• Professor Katie Mack, Theoretical Cosmologist and author of The End of Everything
  
• Chris Benninger, CEO and President of Guide Dogs for the Blind
  
• Jeff Corwin, Television Host, American Biologist and Wildlife Conservationist

Find the Down to Earth trailer now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play and more. The podcasts premieres on April 7.

posted 05-07-2025 10:09 AM               

Terry Virts, a former astronaut and International Space Station commander, has sounded out Democrats, including Mr. O'Rourke, as he seriously considers a campaign, according to a person briefed on his deliberations. He has begun sharing more political opinions — like his opposition to Elon Musk — with a social media following that he amassed partly through his space photography.