posted 09-07-2022 11:41 AM               

NASA Astronaut Megan McArthur Joins Space Center Houston

Space Center Houston welcomes scientist, oceanographer, engineer and astronaut Megan McArthur, Ph.D. as the nonprofit's first chief science officer. This new role will support strategic planning, education programs, exhibits and the guest experience. Dr. McArthur brings more than two decades of NASA experience with a new mission to develop authentic science and space exploration learning experiences for students and the general public. She will continue to be an active NASA astronaut and split her time between the two organizations.

"We're a science center dedicated to informing the public about what's happening now in space exploration," said William T. Harris, president and CEO of Space Center Houston. "With Megan's extensive career in science and human spaceflight, she brings a wealth of experience to further enable us to provide meaningful science and space connections for the everyday explorer."

In addition to supporting the center's overall strategic science initiatives, Dr. McArthur will forge new alliances to create partnerships within the local, national and global communities. She will make appearances at special events and inform new educational programs leveraging the latest tools and resources dedicated to empowering people of all ages in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Dr. McArthur most recently served as pilot of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, during NASA's SpaceX Crew-2 mission which landed November 8, 2021. It was the second commercial crew rotation mission aboard the International Space Station and the third crewed flight for the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. She also served as Flight Engineer of Expedition 65/66 on the International Space Station. Dr. McArthur was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2000 and served as a Mission Specialist aboard STS-125, the final space shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. The successful mission improved the telescope's capabilities and extended its life.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of California, San Diego where she performed research activities at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Learn more about McArthur's career here.

Space Center Houston is proud to recognize Barrios Technology, a woman-owned and operated aerospace company headquartered in the greater Houston region, for its generous commitment supporting the Chief Science Officer program. With Barrios Technology's investment in Space Center Houston, Barrios Technology continues to make a positive impact on the community and the future generation of space explorers and leaders.

posted 08-29-2025 02:03 PM               

NASA Astronaut Megan McArthur Retires

NASA astronaut Megan McArthur has retired, concluding a career spanning more than two decades. A veteran of two spaceflights, McArthur logged 213 days in space, including being the first woman to pilot a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and the last person to "touch" the Hubble Space Telescope with the space shuttle's robotic arm.

McArthur launched as pilot of NASA's SpaceX Crew-2 mission in April 2021, marking her second spaceflight and her first long-duration stay aboard the International Space Station. During the 200-day mission, she served as a flight engineer for Expeditions 65/66, conducting a wide array of scientific experiments in human health, materials sciences, and robotics to advance exploration of the Moon under Artemis and prepare to send American astronauts to Mars.

Her first spaceflight was STS-125 in 2009, aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, the fifth and final servicing mission to Hubble. As a mission specialist, she was responsible for capturing the telescope with the robotic arm, as well as supporting five spacewalks to update and repair Hubble after its first 19 years in space. She also played a key role in supporting shuttle operations during launch, rendezvous with the telescope, and landing.

"Megan's thoughtful leadership, operational excellence, and deep commitment to science and exploration have made a lasting impact," said Steve Koerner, acting director of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "Her contributions have helped shape the future of human space exploration, and we are incredibly grateful for her service."

In addition to her flight experience, McArthur has served in various technical and leadership roles within NASA. In 2019, she became the deputy division chief of the Astronaut Office, supporting astronaut training, development, and ongoing spaceflight operations. She also served as the assistant director of flight operations for the International Space Station Program starting in 2017.

Since 2022, McArthur has served as the chief science officer at Space Center Houston, NASA Johnson's official visitor center. Continuing in this role, she actively promotes public engagement with space exploration themes, aiming to increase understanding of the benefits to humanity and enhance science literacy.

"Megan brought a unique combination of technical skill and compassion to everything she did," said Joe Acaba, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA Johnson. "Whether in space or on the ground, she embodied the best of what it means to be an astronaut and a teammate. Her contributions will be felt by the next generation of explorers she helped train."

McArthur was born in Honolulu and raised as a "Navy kid" in many different locations worldwide. She earned a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a doctorate in oceanography from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. Before being selected as an astronaut in 2000, she conducted oceanographic research focusing on underwater acoustics, which involved shipboard work and extensive scuba diving.

McArthur is married to former NASA astronaut Robert Behnken, who also flew aboard the Dragon Endeavour spacecraft during the agency's SpaceX Demo-2 mission in 2020.

"It was an incredible privilege to serve as a NASA astronaut, working with scientists from around the world on cutting-edge research that continues to have a lasting impact here on Earth and prepares humanity for future exploration at the Moon and Mars," said McArthur. "From NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to the International Space Station, our research lab in low Earth orbit, humanity has developed incredible tools that help us answer important scientific questions, solve complex engineering challenges, and gain a deeper understanding of our place in the universe. Seeing our beautiful planet from space makes it so clear how fragile and precious our home is, and how vital it is that we protect it. I am grateful I had the opportunity to contribute to this work, and I'm excited to watch our brilliant engineers and scientists at NASA conquer new challenges and pursue further scientific discoveries for the benefit of all."