posted 05-28-2021 11:05 AM               

The 28th of May is my final day at NASA and my final day in the Navy, marking my Navy retirement, 28 years serving my nation in the Navy, 11 of those in the SEAL teams and 17 here at NASA. It has been an amazing run, so many wonderful opportunities, both on the ground, in the air and in space — and underwater.

Just so privileged, I feel so lucky that I got to work with the folks that I have, had the tours that I had, had the friendships I have developed all around the world and I just wanted to say thank you.

posted 06-02-2021 08:13 PM               

Three-Time Space Veteran Astronaut Chris Cassidy Retires From NASA

NASA astronaut and former U.S. Navy Capt. Chris Cassidy has retired from the agency's astronaut corps after 17 years of service. His last day at NASA was Friday, May 28.

In his career, Cassidy accumulated 378 days in space. Of that time, he spent 54 hours, 51 minutes outside of the International Space Station over the course of 10 spacewalks.

"It's been an amazing run," Cassidy said in a video posted to his Instagram account. "I've had so many wonderful opportunities, both on the ground, in the air, and in space and underwater. I'm so privileged and feel so lucky that I've got to work with the folks that I have, had the mentors that I've had, the friendships I've developed all around the world, and I just want to say thank you."

Cassidy arrived at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston in May 2004 as an astronaut candidate after serving 11 years as a Navy SEAL. He went on to complete three spaceflights, STS‐127 aboard space shuttle Endeavour, and space station Expeditions 35 and 63. On his shuttle mission in 2009, he became the 500th person in history to fly to space, and helped deliver and install the final two components of the space station's Japanese Experiment Module, Kibo, and the Exposed Facility and Experiment Logistics Module. He flew again in 2013 and 2020 as a crew member of Expeditions 35 and 63 respectively, launching to the station aboard two Russian Soyuz spacecraft and contributing to hundreds of hours of scientific investigations and station upgrades. During his July 16, 2013, spacewalk, he helped ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano to safety after Parmitano experienced a cooling water leak into his helmet, covering his face with water, and forcing the spacewalkers to return to the station airlock.

Cassidy also supported NASA astronauts on the ground in a variety of roles. He served as capsule communicator, or capcom, in the Mission Control Center at Johnson. He became the extracurricular activity branch chief, leading the ground teams that plan spacewalks and ensure astronaut safety. In 2015, Cassidy became chief of the Astronaut Office, a role now held by NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman.

"It's been an honor working with Chris throughout his career at NASA," Wiseman said. "He's been a great mentor not just to me, but for all of the astronauts who are following in his footsteps. He is an astronaut and officer with admirable leadership and character qualities. We will certainly miss him and wish him well in his future endeavors."

Cassidy is a York, Maine, native with a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland; a master's degree in ocean engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and an honorary doctorate from Husson University, Bangor, Maine.

posted 08-31-2021 08:24 AM               

National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation Welcomes Navy Veteran, NASA Astronaut Chris Cassidy as President & CEO

The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) today announced that Chris Cassidy, retired U.S. Navy SEAL and former Chief Astronaut for NASA, will be its new President and CEO. Cassidy is a decorated combat veteran who graduated from the United States Naval Academy and earned a master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

During his military career, Cassidy served two tours in Afghanistan, receiving the Bronze Star with combat 'V' and a second Bronze Star for combat leadership service in Afghanistan. In 2004, his platoon was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for a nine-day operation at the Zharwar Kili Cave on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. As an astronaut, he completed three missions to space and ten spacewalks, accumulating 377 days in space, the fifth most in American history. In his personal time, he volunteered for and completed a 180-mile charity kayak paddle to raise money and awareness for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Cassidy will now lead the NMOHMF's project to build the National Medal of Honor Museum and Medal of Honor Leadership Institute in Arlington, Texas, and the National Medal of Honor Monument in Washington, D.C. The project will preserve and commemorate the stories of the fewer than 4,000 courageous individuals who have earned the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award for valor in combat. Today, just 67 Medal recipients are alive.

"I have dedicated my life to the service of others and country, and I am humbled by the opportunity to continue to serve by helping to lead this historic project. It is a privilege to do my part to honor the service and sacrifice represented by the Medal, its recipients, and all those who have served," said Chris Cassidy, on joining the NMOHMF. "As President and CEO, I can think of no greater opportunity than to give back to the country I love by preserving and sharing the stories of these heroes with all Americans and encouraging all to live by the values intrinsic to the Medal. Today more than ever, we need to be reminded the things which unite us are so much more powerful than those which seek to divide. This project is truly uniting America."

The Museum is scheduled to break ground in early 2022, and legislation to construct the Monument in our nation's capital, funded by private donations, unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives just last month.

"Our mission to inspire America has gained an incredible leader with Chris Cassidy. As an active member of the veteran community, Chris knows how important it is to get this historic project right," said Charlotte Jones, Chairman of the NMOHMF Board of Directors. "And as a pioneer in American space exploration, he knows how to lead teams to achieve the impossible. As we prepare to break ground on this important Museum, and move forward with the Monument and Leadership Institute, we are thrilled to have an exceptional American at the helm, working every day to inspire Americans to live up to the values of the Medal of Honor."