NASA’s Scott Tingle to Serve as Agency’s Chief Astronaut
NASA has appointed Scott Tingle as the new chief of the Astronaut Office at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, effective November 10. Tingle, a seasoned astronaut and former U.S. Navy captain, brings a wealth of experience to this pivotal role, having logged over 4,500 flight hours across 51 different aircraft and serving as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station (ISS). As chief astronaut, Tingle will oversee the management of astronaut resources and operations, play a crucial role in developing astronaut flight crew operations, and make crew assignments for upcoming human spaceflight missions, including the ambitious Artemis missions aimed at returning humans to the Moon.
Tingle’s impressive background includes a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University and a master’s degree in the same field from Purdue University. Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009, he has demonstrated his capabilities in space, most recently serving as a flight engineer during Expedition 54/55, where he spent over six months in orbit. His mission, which launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz spacecraft, was instrumental in advancing the scientific objectives of the ISS. Tingle succeeds Joe Acaba, who has transitioned to a role providing technical advice on mission planning and strategy after leading the Astronaut Office since February 2023. Acaba’s tenure was marked by significant contributions to astronaut training and mission readiness, and Tingle will build on this legacy as NASA continues to push the boundaries of human space exploration.
The Johnson Space Center team has expressed their congratulations to Tingle, emphasizing the importance of his leadership in preparing astronauts for future missions and ensuring the safety and effectiveness of space travel. As NASA gears up for the next era of exploration beyond low Earth orbit, Tingle’s extensive experience and dedication will be crucial in shaping the future of human spaceflight. For those interested in following Tingle’s journey and NASA’s ongoing missions, additional information on the International Space Station and the agency’s initiatives can be found on NASA’s official website.
NASA astronaut Scott Tingle
NASA named astronaut Scott Tingle as chief of the Astronaut Office at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, effective Nov. 10. A decorated spaceflight veteran and former captain in the United States Navy,
Tingle
has logged more than 4,500 flight hours in 51 different aircraft and served as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station.
As chief astronaut, Tingle is responsible for managing astronaut resources and operations. He also will help develop astronaut flight crew operations and make crew assignments for future human spaceflight missions, including Artemis missions to the Moon.
“Our Johnson Space Center team congratulates Scott on his selection as chief of the Astronaut Office. We wish him well as he takes on this new and exciting leadership role,” said Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche. “I extend my sincerest thanks to Joe Acaba, for his dedicated service to the Astronaut Office, as he completed the tremendous task of preparing our astronaut corps for daring missions to and from the International Space Station and integrated their expertise and space knowledge to develop and test future technologies, software, and procedures making space travel safer and more attainable for our nation’s explorers.”
A native of Randolph, Massachusetts, Tingle was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Tingle most recently served as a flight engineer aboard the space station, spending more than six months in orbit during Expedition 54/55. He was the flight engineer and United States Operational Segment lead for the mission, which launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz spacecraft on Dec. 17, 2017, and concluded with landing on June 3, 2018. Since returning to Earth, he has supported the Astronaut Office in various roles, including mission support, technical leadership, and crew readiness activities.
Before coming to NASA, Tingle worked for The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, California, where he served as a technical staff member supporting the company’s propulsion department. He was commissioned as a naval officer in 1991 and went on to complete a distinguished career, earning the rank of captain before retiring. Follow Tingle on
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Tingle succeeds NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, who had served as chief of the Astronaut Office since February 2023. Acaba has transitioned to the center director’s staff, where he provides technical advice on mission planning and strategy at NASA Johnson. In this new role, he leads the center’s alignment with NASA’s strategic plan and human spaceflight priorities, supports the agency’s STEM workforce goals, and advances collaboration with commercial space, academia, and other government partners as NASA continues its exploration beyond low Earth orbit.
Learn more about the International Space Station:
https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station
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Shaneequa Vereen
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
shaneequa.y.vereen@nasa.gov
