Courtesy of Christopher J. Ferguson

Curiosity Expert: Christopher J. Ferguson

Former United States Astronaut, NASA

Christopher J. Ferguson graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School, Philadelphia, Penn., in 1979 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in 1984. And in 1991, he earned a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Ferguson received his commission from the Navy ROTC program in 1984. He earned his Navy Wings in 1986 and was ordered to the F-14 Tomcat training squadron in Virginia Beach, Va. After a brief period of instruction, he joined the "Red Rippers" of VF-11, deploying to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian oceans onboard the USS Forrestal (CV-59). While with VF-11, he also attended the Navy Fighter Weapon School (TOPGUN). He was selected for the Naval Postgraduate/Test Pilot School program in 1989. Through June 1994, he served as the F-14D weapon separation project officer, becoming the first pilot to release several types of air-to-ground weapons from the Tomcat. He joined the "Checkmates" of VF-211 in 1995, completing a deployment to the Western Pacific/Persian Gulf in defense of the Iraqi no-fly zone onboard the USS Nimitz (CVN-68). And he briefly served as the logistics officer for the Atlantic Fleet prior to his selection to the space program.

In August 1998, Ferguson reported to the Johnson Space Center. Following the completion of two years of training, he was assigned technical duties associated with the shuttle main engine, external tank, solid rocket boosters and flight software. He also served as spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-118, 120, 128 and 129 missions. Ferguson was the pilot of STS-115 and commanded STS-126 and STS-135. He has logged more than 40 days in space. From November 2009 to September 2010, Ferguson served as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office. In September 2010, Ferguson began training with a crew of four for a rescue mission that evolved into STS-135/ULF7, a station cargo delivery flight that carried the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), "Raffaello." This was the final flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station and the 135th and final mission of NASA's 30-year Space Shuttle Program.

Ferguson has received several awards including: Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Strike/Flight Air Medal, NASA Spaceflight Medal (three), Navy Commendation Medal (three), Navy Achievement Medal and various other service awards/citations.