Technical Assistant, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD), NASA
Mark T. Vande Hei was selected by NASA in 2009. From Falls Church, Virginia, Vande Hei earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Saint John’s University and a Master of Science in Applied Physics from Stanford University. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army through the ROTC program and served as a combat engineer. In 1999, he became an assistant professor of physics at the United States Military Academy in West Point. Vande Hei most recently served as Flight Engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 53/54.
Vande Hei reported to the Johnson Space Center in July 2006 to serve as a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) in the Mission Control Center, Houston. He served as an International Space Station CAPCOM for Expeditions 15 to 20 and STS-122, 123, 124, 126 and 127. Vande Hei was selected in June 2009 as a member of the 20th NASA astronaut class. He completed astronaut candidate training in June 2011, after which he continued to serve as a CAPCOM. From June 2012 to May 2013, he served as the Astronaut Office’s Director of Operations in Russia. He is a member of the Expedition 53/54 crew that launched to the International Space Station in September 2017.
