posted 06-05-2019 02:43 PM               

Astronaut Michael Good Retires from NASA

Veteran NASA astronaut Michael Good is retiring from NASA after flying two space shuttle missions and helping the Commercial Crew Program get off the ground. After 35 years of government service in the U.S. Air Force and at NASA, May 31 is his last day with the agency.

"Mike's vision and execution for the Commercial Crew Program's Joint Test Team has been critical to the maturing of each of the providers' crew cabins," Kathy Lueders, Commercial Crew Program manager, said. "Mike had the dream of bringing the best of NASA to work side by side with the best of Boeing and SpaceX to find the safest and most practical solutions to the inevitable trades that need to be made. His leadership will be sorely missed but he set the right trajectory for us and now it will be our job to make him proud."

Good came to NASA from the U.S. Air Force, where he achieved the rank of colonel before retiring in 2009. He was selected as an astronaut in 2000 and flew first to the Hubble Space Telescope on board space shuttle Atlantis as part of the STS-125 mission in 2009. Good took part in two of the five spacewalks to upgrade and repair the telescope on the fifth and final Hubble servicing mission. He racked up 15 hours, 58 minutes of spacewalking time.

He added another 13 hours, 55 minutes spacewalking outside the International Space Station in 2010, when he visited as part of Atlantis' STS-132 mission. He and his crewmates delivered a rack of cargo and the Russian-built research module Rassvet, as well as replacing batteries for the station's solar arrays.

Good spent a total of 24 days, 16 hours and 5 minutes in space over the course of the two shuttle missions.

Following his second flight, Good served as the NASA liaison to the Air Force Space Command in Colorado. On his return, he joined NASA's Commercial Crew Program as assistant to the program manager for crew operations and testing. In that role he has helped SpaceX and Boeing prepare to launch NASA astronauts to the International Space Station.

Good was born in Parma, Ohio, but considers Broadview Heights, Ohio, his hometown. He earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

posted 02-19-2025 04:17 PM               

The Next Giant Leap: Veteran Astronaut Who Repaired Hubble Joins Ambitious Launch Start-Up, LESATH, Validating 2.8BN TGT

LESATH Space International, rapid-access rocket start-up announces appointment of Col. Michael "Bueno" Good (USAF Ret.), former NASA astronaut, to its Board of Directors.

LESATH Space International, the innovative rapid-access rocket company revolutionizing commercial space launch cadence and capability, today announced the appointment of Col. Michael "Bueno" Good (USAF Ret.), former NASA astronaut and aerospace engineering expert, to its Board of Directors.

This strategic addition brings unparalleled spaceflight and engineering ability to LESATH's leadership team. Col. Good, who logged nearly thirty hours of spacewalk time during critical Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions and International Space Station operations, brings extensive experience in spacecraft systems, mission operations, and aerospace engineering to LESATH's rapid-growth trajectory.

"Mike's appointment represents a significant milestone in LESATH's development," said T.A. Pawlak III, CEO of LESATH International. "His unique combination of operational spaceflight experience, extensive testing expertise with multiple aircraft systems, and deep understanding of both government and commercial space operations aligns perfectly with our mission to revolutionize rapid-response launch capabilities."

Col. Good's distinguished career spans multiple domains critical to LESATH's business model:

• NASA mission specialist with two successful Space Shuttle missions
  
• Test pilot experience with over 30 different aircraft, including the B-2 stealth bomber
  
• Advanced systems engineering ability from both military and civilian space operations
  
• Crew lead on NASA's Commercial Crew Program
  
• Recent experience with Blue Origin programs (New Shepard, New Glenn, Blue Moon and Orbital Reef)

"LESATH's focus on reusability, and increased environmental sustainability through methane propulsion, represents a further step in the future of commercial space operations," said Col. Good. "The company's ambitious plan to bring a sustainable LV platform to their aggressive on demand launch window addresses a critical market concern that I've experienced firsthand throughout my career in both government and commercial space operations."

This appointment strengthens LESATH's position in the $32.41 billion commercial space launch market, adding significant operational ability as the company moves toward its planned test launches and commercial operations. Col. Good's experience with NASA's Commercial Crew Program particularly enhances LESATH's capabilities in meeting both government and commercial customer requirements, and his voice will be essential in achieving the next milestone for the company.

About LESATH International

LESATH is at the forefront of rapid-access rocket technology, offering innovative solutions for efficient and eco-conscious space launches. Developing both expendable and reusable payload delivery with a commitment to 72-hour launch windows and reduced carbon footprints, LESATH is revolutionizing access to Low Earth Orbit for both commercial and government clients.