posted 03-04-2011 07:09 AM               

NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman Leaves Agency

NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman has left the agency to return to private industry. Reisman is a veteran of two spaceflight missions, including a long-duration mission on the International Space Station.

"I had the pleasure of working with Garrett in space during Expedition 16," said Peggy Whitson, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "He is an incredibly accomplished professional and well-known for his great sense of humor. We wish him the best in this new phase of his career, but we will miss him greatly."

Reisman, who holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering, joined NASA in 1998. Before flying in space, he served in multiple technical roles including work supporting robotics and the advanced vehicles branch of the Astronaut Office.

Reisman's first spaceflight mission was as flight engineer during Expeditions 16 and 17 on the station in 2008. During his three months aboard, he performed a seven-hour spacewalk, conducted numerous robotics activities and participated in the installation of the Japanese Kibo laboratory and its logistics module.

Reisman visited the station again during his second spaceflight, STS-132 in May 2010. He conducted two additional spacewalks during the mission, logging 14 more hours outside.

posted 03-04-2011 07:58 AM               

Astronaut Garrett Reisman Joins SpaceX

Joining Astronaut Safety and Mission Assurance Team as SpaceX Prepares to Carry Astronauts

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is proud to announce that NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman is joining the company as a senior engineer working on astronaut safety and mission assurance.

"We're excited about the great team that we are building. Our talent is the key to our success. Garrett's experience designing and using spaceflight hardware will be invaluable as we prepare the spacecraft that will carry the next generation of explorers," said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Chief Technology Officer.

Dr. Reisman will join former NASA astronaut Ken Bowersox's team in preparing SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts. In December, Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to successfully return from orbit. In the coming years, NASA will use Dragon for at least 12 cargo missions to the International Space Station, creating strong flight experience before the first manned mission.

"I am excited to help SpaceX because I care deeply about the future of human spaceflight," said Dr. Reisman. "I see commercial spaceflight as our country's best option for a robust and sustainable human spaceflight future."

Beyond safety, Dr. Reisman's experience as an operator of both American and Russian spaceflight hardware will help SpaceX in the development of human interfaces including controls, displays, seats, suits and environmental control systems.

"After the Space Shuttle's last flight later this year, America will be dependent on our Russian partners for getting NASA astronauts to space. NASA's commercial crew development program is our only hope for a quick, safe and affordable alternative, and SpaceX is well-positioned to lead this effort given the strength of their performance during the NASA COTS program," said Reisman.

Both the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft have been designed from the start to one day carry astronauts.

Dr. Reisman comes to SpaceX from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration where he has served since 1998. He has flown on two Space Shuttle missions, which include launching with STS-123 and returning with the STS-124 crew, as well as flying on STS-132. During these two missions, he logged over 3 months in space including over 21 hours of extravehicular activity (EVA) in 3 spacewalks. Dr. Reisman served with both the Expedition-16 and the Expedition-17 crews as a Flight Engineer aboard the International Space Station. Early in his time at NASA he was assigned to the Astronaut Office Robotics Branch, worked in the Astronaut Office Advanced Vehicles Branch, and was a crewmember on NEEMO V in 2003, living on the bottom of the sea in the Aquarius habitat for two weeks.

Dr. Reisman holds a B.S. in Economics and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania, a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology. He is an FAA Certified Flight Instructor. Dr. Reisman is from Parsippany, New Jersey.

posted 03-14-2011 05:21 PM               

Congratulations on your new gig! What prompted the move?

That's the big question. It's hard to give you a succinct answer to that. 'Cause being an astronaut, I'll be totally honest with you, is the coolest thing ever and a very, very difficult thing to walk away from voluntarily.

After my last flight I kind of sat back and thought, I could stay at NASA and fly again, it would just be a matter of waiting my turn which could take a while. But you know we have a lot of new astronauts that are waiting for their first chance to fly, and I felt like, well, I'm 43 years old and I'm at the age where, if I was going to start a second career, it was time to get one with it.

And I saw what was going on in the commercial space area and I really believe strongly that this is the future of human spaceflight, and I had a strong desire to get involved with that.

So that's really what led me to make this decision, which was not an easy one to make.

posted 05-31-2018 12:51 PM               

Astronaut to Join USC Faculty

Garrett Reisman, Director of Space Operations at SpaceX and former NASA astronaut joins USC's Department of Astronautical Engineering

Garrett Reisman, Director of Space Operations at SpaceX and a former NASA astronaut, will be joining the faculty of the Department of Astronautical Engineering at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Reisman, who has participated in three space shuttle missions and spent three months on the International Space Station, will join USC as a full-time faculty member on June 1, 2018.

At the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Reisman will teach undergraduate and graduate level astronautical engineering students, and advise the Department and the School on various space-related issues. In addition, he is expected to provide support to the student-run, student-operated Rocket Propulsion Lab and the Liquid Propulsion Lab.

"We are elated with Dr. Reisman joining our faculty," said USC Viterbi School of Engineering Dean, Yannis C. Yortsos. "Garrett will provide invaluable contributions to our programs and our students from his experience as astronaut, and Director of Space Operations at SpaceX. I look forward to working closely with him as we expand our already strong efforts in space."

Reisman holds a B.S. in Economics and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology.

At SpaceX, Reisman and his team are responsible for mission planning and operations, crew health, Crew Dragon ergonomics and human factors, as well as crew and ground operator training. He and his team also work with NASA to prepare SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon spacecraft to take astronauts to space. Reisman will continue on as a Senior Advisor with SpaceX, supporting efforts to bring astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) from American soil for the first time since 2011.

"USC and the students of Viterbi are incredibly fortunate to learn from someone with Garrett's personal experience, practical knowledge, and passion for space," said Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer.

"For the past seven years, Garrett has played a pivotal role at SpaceX helping to build and lead a smart and dynamic team that works side-by-side with NASA as we prepare to launch crew in our next generation spacecraft later this year. We look forward to continuing our work with Garrett as he also transitions into his new role as a Senior Advisor for SpaceX's Commercial Crew Program."

Prior to his work at SpaceX, Dr. Reisman was an astronaut for NASA. He has flown on the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the Space Shuttle Discovery and the Space Shuttle Atlantis. He served with both the Expedition-16 and17 crews as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station and during his time in orbit, he has participated in three spacewalks. In addition to his spaceflight experience, Reisman trained NASA astronauts in both robotics and spacewalk operations.

NASA recognized Dr. Reisman by awarding the Distinguished Service Medal and the Space Flight Medal.

Legacy of Space Innovation at USC:

USC has a strong legacy of innovation in space exploration. The USC Viterbi School of Engineering is one of a core group of top schools with a distinct astronautical program. To date, school researchers have innovated in spacecraft propulsion, space science, space environment, space communications, satellites, and materials. Astronaut Neil Armstrong was a Viterbi alumnus (MS, 1970, Aerospace Engineering), and the school has a dedicated Space Engineering Research group. The school maintains strong connections with pioneering space organizations and alumni who design and build rockets and space launchers, communications and direct broadcasting satellites, navigational systems, crewed space vehicles and planetary probes.

"Dr. Reisman brings exceptional expertise to astronautical engineering at USC. Our flagship Master's program is among largest in the nation and it already offers unique coursework related to human spaceflight. The U.S. national space program now embarks on human exploration beyond low earth orbit. This is a strategic development for the country and for the world. With Garrett's unique knowledge and enthusiasm, we will contribute in an important way to educating the new generation of rocket scientists and help enable this ambition," said Mike Gruntman, Chair of the Department of Astronautical Engineering.

Reisman said, "I am thrilled to have this chance to educate and inspire our next generation of astronautical engineers and to be part of USC's impressive legacy of contributions to space exploration. I hope to share my experiences at NASA and SpaceX with the USC Viterbi School students to provide an understanding of where the frontier of human spaceflight lies today so that they can blow that frontier wide open tomorrow."

posted 07-11-2023 11:52 AM               

VAST Welcomes Veteran NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman as Human Spaceflight Advisor

Vast, a pioneer in space habitation technologies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Garrett Reisman, a veteran NASA astronaut and accomplished space industry expert, as its newest advisor. With an impressive background in space exploration and extensive industry experience, Reisman brings invaluable expertise and strategic human spaceflight insights to Vast.

After being selected by NASA as a mission specialist astronaut in 1998, Reisman flew on all three Space Shuttles. He first flew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2008 for a 95-day stay on the International Space Station (ISS), after which he returned to Earth aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. His second mission in 2010 was aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. During these missions, Reisman performed 3 spacewalks, operated the ISS's Mobile Servicing System (MSS), and served as a flight engineer aboard the Space Shuttle.

Reisman was also an aquanaut, serving as a crew member on the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) V, living in the Aquarius deep underwater habitat for two weeks.

Following his departure from NASA in early 2011, Reisman joined SpaceX where he served in multiple capacities, most recently as the Director of Space Operations. In May 2018, he stepped down from his full-time position at SpaceX to become a Professor of Astronautical Engineering in the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California. He continues to support SpaceX as a Senior Advisor.

Reisman attended the University of Pennsylvania and the California Institute of Technology, where he received his Ph.D in in 1997.

"I am honored to join Vast as an advisor and contribute my expertise to their goals of expanding humanity across the solar system with artificial gravity space stations," said Garrett Reisman. "Commercial space stations and artificial gravity space stations are both crucial components of humanity's future in space. The Vast team is well-equipped to meet the needs of the growing in-space economy with a particular focus on the challenges, rewards and safety considerations of human spaceflight."

"We are thrilled to welcome Garrett Reisman as our first astronaut advisor," said Jed McCaleb, founder and CEO of Vast. "His unparalleled human spaceflight and industry expertise will undoubtedly prove invaluable to Vast's mission especially with regard to safety and mission assurance needed to operate a private crewed space station. We look forward to benefiting from his strategic insights and guidance as we navigate the exciting challenges ahead."

As an advisor, Garrett Reisman will play a critical role in Vast's strategic planning and growth, providing invaluable perspectives on human spaceflight, safety, and mission assurance.