- Ron Garan
- Astronaut
I grew up in Yonkers, NY. When I was 7 years old I watched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon. Ever since that day I dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Exactly 31 years (to the day) after the first Moon landing I received a call from the Chief NASA Astronaut inviting me to join the astronaut corps. The 31 year journey to become an astronaut included earning a Bachelors Degree in Business Economics from the State University of New York at Oneonta, a Masters of Aeronautical Science Degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Masters of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Florida. I also have been an active duty officer in the U.S. Air Force for the past 21 years where I have worked as an experimental test pilot and flew combat missions in the F-16 during Operation Desert Storm. In my time in the Air Force I have had the opportunity to fly over 4000 hours in 30 different types of aircraft (my favorite is definitely the F-16).
My favorite thing to do is spend time with my wife Carmel and my three sons, Ronnie, Joseph and Jake. I love playing football and teaching Sunday School to children. I also have a strong interest in renewable energy. Renewable energy consists of using energy from the Sun, wind, tides, and other sources to provide electricity without harming the environment.
Over the last 5 years at the Johnson Space Center I have had the opportunity to work on many exciting projects. After completing 2 years of training to qualify for assignment as a Space Shuttle and International Space Station crewmember, I have worked to develop and train crews on Space Shuttle landing techniques and have been involved in the development of two new international spacecraft.
I am very excited to be a part of the NEEMO 9 crew. I am especially excited that we will be able to make a large contribution to the development of the procedures that we will use to explore the surface of the Moon and Mars. I am equally excited that we will also help to develop medical procedures that will assist impoverished people in remote areas that do not have access to the quality medical care found at major medical centers.
I am very much looking forward to becoming a “resident” of the incredibly beautiful coral reef that is the home of the Aquarius habitat and to the discoveries that we will make.
