posted 11-07-2025 09:00 PM               

Today, the NASA family mourns the passing of Frederick "Rick" Hauck, a decorated naval aviator and three-time space shuttle veteran.

He was known as a man of character and bravery, proven time and time again during his time at the agency. My heart goes out to his family, and everyone in the community who knew and loved him.

Hauck came to NASA as an astronaut candidate in 1978. He'd go on to pilot space shuttle mission STS-7, flying alongside legends like Sally Ride and Bob Crippen as part of the shuttle’s first five-person crew. He commanded the STS-51A mission, space shuttle Discovery's second mission, and STS-26, the first shuttle flight after the Challenger accident. NASA thanks him for his service to human spaceflight and the shuttle program, as well as his service to this country.