Robert D. Cabana: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|American astronaut (born 1949)}}

ROBERT D. CABANA (COLONEL, USMC, RET.)

{{Infobox officeholder

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

|name = Robert Cabana

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER

|image = Robert D. Cabana on August 8, 2023 (3x4 cropped).jpg

|caption = Cabana in 2023

|office = 10th Director of the [[Kennedy Space Center]]

|term_start = October 26, 2008

|term_end = May 17, 2021

|president = [[George W. Bush]]<br/>[[Barack Obama]]<br/>[[Donald Trump]]<br/>[[Joe Biden]]

|predecessor = [[William W. Parsons (NASA)|William Parsons]]

|successor = [[Janet Petro]]

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1949|1|23}}

|birth_place = [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]], U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|education = [[United States Naval Academy]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])

|awards = [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]<br>[[NASA Distinguished Service Medal]]

{{Infobox astronaut

|child = yes

|type = [[NASA astronaut]]

|rank = [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]], [[United States Marine Corps|USMC]]

|time = 37d 22h 42min

|selection = [[NASA Astronaut Group 11|NASA Group 11 (1985)]]

|mission = [[STS-41]], [[STS-53]], [[STS-65]], [[STS-88]]

|insignia = [[File:Sts-41-patch.png|42px]] [[File:STS-53 patch.svg|42px]] [[File:Sts-65-patch.png|42px]] [[File:Sts-88-patch.svg|42px]]}}

}}

'''Robert Donald Cabana''' (born January 23, 1949) is a former Associate Administrator of the [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]]

(NASA) and retired NASA [[NASA Astronaut Corps#Members|astronaut]], having flown on four [[Space Shuttle]] flights.<ref name=associate>{{cite web|url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/05/10/longtime-kennedy-space-center-director-robert-cabana-moving-to-nasa-hq-with-new-role/ |title=Longtime Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana moving to NASA HQ with new role |author=Emilee Speck |date=10 May 2021 |publisher=ClickOrlando| access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref><ref name=associate2>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-new-associate-administrator/ |date=May 2021|publisher=NASA |title=NASA Announces New Associate Administrator |access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref> He served as [[Chief of the Astronaut Office]] from 1994 to 1997 and as director of the [[John F. Kennedy Space Center]] from 2008 to 2021. He is also a former [[naval flight officer]] and [[naval aviator]] in the [[United States Marine Corps]].

==Personal==

PERSONAL DATA: Born January 23, 1949, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where his parents still reside. Married to the former Nancy Joan Shimer of Cortland, New York. Three children, Jeffrey, Christopher and Sarah. He enjoys jogging, cycling, softball, sailing, and woodworking.

Robert Donald Cabana was born January 23, 1949, in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]], to Ted and Annabell Cabana. Robert is the older of two sons. His younger brother is Gary Cabana. He has three children.<ref name=nasabio2014/>

==Education==

EDUCATION: Graduated from Washburn High School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1967; received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from the United States Naval Academy in 1971.

Cabana graduated from [[Washburn High School]], [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]], in 1967.

He received his [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[mathematics]] from the [[United States Naval Academy]], [[Annapolis, Maryland]], in 1971.

==Military career==

ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Association of Space Explorers and Associate Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

After graduation from the [[United States Naval Academy]], Cabana attended [[The Basic School]] at [[Marine Corps Base Quantico]], [[Virginia]], and completed [[Naval Flight Officer]] training at [[Naval Air Station Pensacola]], [[Florida]], in 1972. He served as an [[A-6 Intruder]] bombardier/[[flight officer|navigator]] with squadrons in the [[2nd Marine Aircraft Wing]] (2nd MAW) at [[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point]], [[North Carolina]], and the [[1st Marine Aircraft Wing]] at [[Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni]], Japan. He returned to NAS Pensacola in 1975 for pilot training and was redesignated as a [[naval aviator]] in September 1976. He was then assigned to the 2nd MAW at MCAS Cherry Point, where he flew A-6 Intruders. He graduated from the [[United States Naval Test Pilot School]] in 1981, and served at the [[Naval Air Test Center]] at [[NAS Patuxent River]], [[Maryland]], as the A-6 program manager, [[X-29]] advanced technology demonstrator project officer, and as a [[test pilot]] for flight systems and ordnance separation testing on A-6 Intruder and [[A-4 Skyhawk]] series aircraft. Prior to his selection as an astronaut candidate, he was serving as the assistant operations officer of [[Marine Aircraft Group 12]] at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.

Cabana retired from the [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] in August 2000 in the rank of [[colonel]].

SPECIAL HONORS: Recipient of The Daughters of the American Revolution Award for the top Marine to complete naval flight training in 1976. Distinguished Graduate, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Awarded the De La Vaulx medal by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in 1994. Personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, two NASA Medals for Outstanding Leadership, two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, and four NASA Space Flight Medals.

He has logged over 8,000 hours in over 50 different kinds of aircraft.<ref name=nasabio2014>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/cabana_robert.pdf |title=ROBERT D. CABANA (COLONEL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, RET.), DIRECTOR, KENNEDY SPACE CENTER |publisher=NASA |access-date=June 24, 2021 |date=July 2014}}</ref>

EXPERIENCE: After graduation from the Naval Academy, Cabana attended the Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, and completed naval flight officer training in Pensacola, Florida, in 1972. He served as an A-6 bombardier/navigator with Marine Air Wings in Cherry Point, North Carolina, and Iwakuni, Japan. He returned to Pensacola in 1975 for pilot training and was designated a naval aviator in September 1976. He was then assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he flew A-6 Intruders. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1981, and served at the Naval Air Test Center in Patuxent River, Maryland, as the A-6 program manager, X-29 advanced technology demonstrator project officer, and as a test pilot for flight systems and ordnance separation testing on A-6 and A-4 series aircraft. Prior to his selection as an astronaut candidate he was serving as the Assistant Operations Officer of Marine Aircraft Group Twelve in Iwakuni, Japan. Cabana retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in August 2000.

==NASA career==

He has logged over 6,000 hours in 34 different kinds of aircraft.

[[File:Bob Cabana portrait.jpg|thumb|Cabana in 1985]]

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate in June 1985, Cabana completed initial astronaut training in July 1986, qualifying for assignment as a pilot on future [[Space Shuttle]] flight crews. His initial assignment was as the Astronaut Office Space Shuttle flight software coordinator until November 1986. At that time he was assigned as the Deputydeputy Chiefchief of Aircraftaircraft Operationsoperations for the [[Johnson Space Center]] where he served for {{frac|2-|1/|2}} years. He then served as the lead astronaut in the [[Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory]] (SAIL) where the [[Orbiter]]'s flight software is tested prior to flight. Cabana has served as a spacecraft communicator ([[Capsule communicator|CAPCOM]]) in Mission Control during Space Shuttle missions, and as Chiefchief of Astronautastronaut Appearancesappearances. Prior to his assignment to command [[STS-88]], Cabana served three years as theNASA's [[Chief of NASA’sthe Astronaut Office. Following STS-88, Cabana served as the Deputy Director of Flight Crew Operations. After joining the ISS Program in October 1999, Cabana served as Manager for International Operations. From August 2001 to September 2002, he served as Director, Human Space Flight Programs, Russia. As NASA’s lead representative to the Russian Aviation and Space Agency (Rosaviakosmos) and its contractors, he provided oversight of all human space flight operations, logistics, and technical functions, including NASA’s mission operations in Korolev and crew training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City. Upon his return to Houston, Cabana was assigned briefly as the Deputy Manager, International Space Station (ISS) Program. From November 2000 to March 2004 he served as Director, Flight Crew Operations Directorate, responsible for directing the day-to-day activities of the directorate, including the Astronaut Corps and aircraft operations at Ellington Field. Cabana currently serves as Deputy Director, Johnson Space Center. A veteran of four space flights, Cabana has logged over 1,010 hours in space. He served as pilot on STS-41 (October 6-10, 1990) and STS-53 (December 2-9, 1992), and was mission commander on STS-65 (July 8-23, 1994) and STS-88 (December 4-15, 1998) the first International Space Station assembly mission]].

Following STS-88, Cabana served as the deputy director of flight crew operations. After joining the [[International Space Station|ISS]] Program in October 1999, Cabana served as manager for international operations. From August 2001 to September 2002, he served as director of Human Space Flight Programs, Russia. As NASA's lead representative to the [[Russian Federal Space Agency|Russian Aviation and Space Agency]] (Rosaviakosmos) and its contractors, he provided oversight of all human space flight operations, logistics, and technical functions, including NASA's mission operations in [[Korolev, Moscow Oblast|Korolev]] and crew training at the [[Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center]] in [[Star City, Russia]].

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-41 Discovery launched on October 6, 1990 from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on October 10, 1990. During 66 orbits of the Earth, the five-man crew successfully deployed the Ulysses spacecraft, starting the interplanetary probe on its four-year journey, via Jupiter, to investigate the polar regions of the Sun; operated the Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet instrument (SSBUV) to map atmospheric ozone levels; activated a controlled "fire in space" experiment (the Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE); and conducted numerous other middeck experiments involving radiation measurements, polymer membrane production, and microgravity effects on plants.

Upon his return to [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], Cabana was assigned briefly as the deputy manager of International Space Station (ISS) Program. From November 2002 to March 2004, he served as director of Flight Crew Operations Directorate, responsible for directing the day-to-day activities of the directorate, including the [[NASA Astronaut Corps]] and aircraft operations at [[Ellington Field]]. He was then assigned as deputy director of the Johnson Space Center, where he served for three and a half years. From October 2007 through October 2008, Cabana served as director of [[John C. Stennis Space Center]].

STS-53 Discovery launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on December 2, 1992. The crew of five deployed the classified Department of Defense payload DOD-1 and then performed several Military-Man-in-Space and NASA experiments. After completing 115 orbits of the Earth in 175 hours, Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on December 9, 1992.

[[File:Robert Cabana in Firing Room Four observing last mission of the Space Shuttle.jpg|thumb|right|Robert Cabana in Firing Room Four observing the last mission of the Space Shuttle]]

STS-65 Columbia launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on July 8, 1994, returning to Florida on July 23, 1994. The crew conducted the second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2) mission utilizing the long Spacelab module in the payload bay. The flight consisted of 82 experiments from 15 countries and six space agencies from around the world. During the record setting 15-day flight, the crew conducted experiments which focused on materials and life sciences research in a microgravity environment paving the way for future operations and cooperation aboard International Space Station. The mission was accomplished in 236 orbits of the Earth in 353 hours and 55 minutes.

In October 2008 he was reassigned as director of the [[John F. Kennedy Space Center]],<ref>{{cite press release |title = Cabana to Succeed Parsons as Kennedy Space Center Director |publisher = [[NASA]] |date = 2008-09-30 |url = http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/sep/HQ_08-249_Parsons_leaves.html |accessdate = 2008-09-30}}</ref> and served as director for over a decade.

STS-88 Endeavour (December 4-15, 1998) was the first International Space Station assembly mission. During the 12-day mission, Unity, the U.S. built node, was mated with Zarya, the Russian built Functional Cargo Block (FGB). Two crewmembers performed three space walks to connect umbilicals and attach tools/hardware in the assembly and outfitting of the station. Additionally, the crew performed the initial activation and first ingress of the International Space Station preparing it for future assembly missions and full time occupation. The crew also performed IMAX Cargo Bay Camera (ICBC) operations, and deployed two satellites, Mighty Sat 1 built by the USAF Phillips Laboratory and SAC-A the first successful launch of an Argentine satellite. The mission was accomplished in 185 orbits of the Earth in 283 hours and 18 minutes.

In May 2021, Cabana was appointed as the Associate Administrator of NASA.<ref name=associate2/> As a former active astronaut still employed by NASA, Cabana remained a member of the [[NASA Astronaut Corps]] as a non-flight eligible [[NASA Astronaut Corps#Management astronauts|management astronauts]].<ref name=Management2021Jan>{{cite web |title=NASA Management Astronauts |date=2021-01-24 |publisher=NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/management |access-date=2021-01-24}}</ref> Cabana retired from NASA on December 31, 2023.<ref>{{cite press release |title =NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana to Retire After 38 Years |publisher = [[NASA]] |date = 2023-11-13 |url = https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-associate-administrator-bob-cabana-to-retire-after-38-years/ |accessdate = 2024-02-04}}</ref>

MARCH 2004

==Spaceflight experience==

Source: [http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/cabana.html]

[[File:STS-41 Pilot Cabana points ROLLEI camera out aft flight deck overhead window.jpg|thumb|right|Pilot Cabana uses a [[Rolleiflex]] [[Rolleiflex 6000 System|6008]] during [[STS-41]]]]

[[STS-41]] ''[[Space Shuttle Discovery|Discovery]]'' launched on October 6, 1990, from the [[Kennedy Space Center]], [[Florida]], and landed at [[Edwards Air Force Base]], [[California]], on October 10, 1990. During 66 orbits of the Earth, the five-man crew successfully deployed the [[Ulysses probe|Ulysses]] spacecraft, starting the interplanetary probe on its four-year journey, via [[Jupiter]], to investigate the polar regions of the Sun; operated the Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet instrument (SSBUV) to map atmospheric ozone levels; activated a controlled "fire in space" experiment (the Solid Surface Combustion Experiment, or SSCE); and conducted numerous other middeck experiments involving radiation measurements, polymer membrane production, and microgravity effects on plants.<ref name="STS-41">{{cite web |last1=Ryba |first1=Jeanne |title=STS-41 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-41.html |website=Mission Archives |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506145857/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-41.html |archive-date=6 May 2021 |date=18 February 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[STS-53]] ''Discovery'' launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on December 2, 1992. The crew of five deployed the classified [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] payload DOD-1 and then performed several Military-Man-in-Space and NASA experiments. After completing 115 orbits of the Earth in 175 hours, ''Discovery'' landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on December 9, 1992.<ref name="STS-53">{{cite web |last1=Ryba |first1=Jeanne |title=STS-53 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-53.html |website=Mission Archives |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506145636/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-53.html |archive-date=6 May 2021 |date=31 March 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{msg: NASA}}

[[STS-65]] ''[[Space Shuttle Columbia|Columbia]]'' launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on July 8, 1994, returning to Florida on July 23, 1994. The crew conducted the second International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2) mission utilizing the long [[Spacelab]] module in the payload bay. The flight consisted of 82 experiments from 15 countries and six space agencies from around the world. During the record-setting 15-day flight, the crew conducted experiments that focused on materials and life sciences research in a [[microgravity]] environment paving the way for future operations and cooperation aboard International Space Station. The mission was accomplished in 236 orbits of the Earth in 353 hours and 55 minutes.<ref name="STS-65">{{cite web |last1=Ryba |first1=Jeanne |title=STS-65 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-65.html |website=Mission Archives |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506145622/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-65.html |archive-date=6 May 2021 |date=1 April 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[STS-88]] ''[[Space Shuttle Endeavour|Endeavour]]'' (December 4–15, 1998) was the first [[International Space Station]] assembly mission. During the 12-day mission, ''[[Unity (ISS module)|Unity]]'', the U.S. built node, was attached to ''[[Zarya (ISS module)|Zarya]]'', the Russian built Functional Cargo Block (FGB). Two crewmembers performed three spacewalks to connect umbilicals and attach tools/hardware in the assembly and outfitting of the station. Additionally, the crew performed the initial activation and first ingress of the International Space Station preparing it for future assembly missions and full-time occupation. The crew also performed IMAX Cargo Bay Camera (ICBC) operations, and deployed two satellites, Mighty Sat 1 built by the U.S. Air Force's [[Phillips Laboratory]], and SAC-A, the first successful launch of an [[Argentina|Argentine]] satellite. The mission was accomplished in 185 orbits of the Earth in 283 hours and 18 minutes.<ref name="STS-88">{{cite web |last1=Ryba |first1=Jeanne |title=STS-88 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-88.html |website=Mission Archives |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506145639/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-88.html |archive-date=6 May 2021 |date=10 February 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Cabana has logged over 910 hours in space.

==Organizations==

* Member of the [[Association of Space Explorers]]

* Fellow in the [[Society of Experimental Test Pilots]]

* Fellow in the [[American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics]]

==Awards and honors==

* [[Defense Superior Service Medal]]

* [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]

* [[Defense Meritorious Service Medal]]

* [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]]

* [[National Intelligence Medal of Achievement]]

* [[NASA Distinguished Service Medal]]

* two [[NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal]]s

* two [[NASA Exceptional Service Medal]]s

* four [[NASA Space Flight Medal]]s

* Recipient of The [[Daughters of the American Revolution]] Award for the top Marine to complete naval flight training (1976)

* Distinguished Graduate, [[United States Naval Test Pilot School|U.S. Naval Test Pilot School]]

* [[De la Vaulx Medal]] by the [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale]] (1994)

* [[Astronaut Hall of Fame]] (May 2008).<ref>[http://www.astronautscholarship.org/ahof_bios.html U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Inductee Biographies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509144252/http://www.astronautscholarship.org/ahof_bios.html |date=2008-05-09 }}, retrieved 2008-03-25</ref><ref>[http://kennedyspacecenter.stores.yahoo.net/2008ahof.html 2007 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315095125/http://kennedyspacecenter.stores.yahoo.net/2008ahof.html |date=2008-03-15 }}, retrieved 2008-03-25</ref>

==Footnotes==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

{{Commons}}

* [http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/cabana_robert.htm Spacefacts biography of Cabana]

* {{C-SPAN|58425}}

* [https://twitter.com/astro_cabanabob?lang=en Robert Cabana on Twitter]

{{s-start}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Robert L. Gibson]]}}

{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Astronaut Office]]

|years=1994–1997}}

{{s-aft|after=[[Kenneth Cockrell]]}}

{{end}}

{{NASA Astronaut Group 11|state=expanded}}

{{U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cabana, Robert D.}}

[[Category:1949 births]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:United States Marine Corps astronauts]]

[[Category:United States Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees]]

[[Category:Center Directors of NASA]]

[[Category:Military personnel from Minneapolis]]

[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]

[[Category:United States Naval Test Pilot School alumni]]

[[Category:United States Marine Corps colonels]]

[[Category:United States Naval Aviators]]

[[Category:United States Naval Flight Officers]]

[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]]

[[Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal]]

[[Category:Recipients of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal]]

[[Category:Recipients of the NASA Exceptional Service Medal]]

[[Category:Space Shuttle program astronauts]]

[[Category:Washburn High School (Minnesota) alumni]]