Who is Capt. Foreman?

Captain Mike was born in Columbus, Ohio on March 29, 1957 and now lives in Houston, Texas where he works at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. He is married and has three children.

Fun Fact: When he isn't working, some of his favorite things to do while spending time with his family are golfing, skiing, running and fixing things. No wonder he was so helpful!

What does an astronaut study in school?

Being good at math and science is important. After graduating from high school, Captain Mike received a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and went on to earn a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1986. As a grad student, he did thesis research at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountainview, Calif.

What does it take to be chosen by NASA?

There are many paths to becoming an astronaut but all begin with school. Captain Mike's path then took him to the Navy where he became a pilot which grew into becoming the Assistant Air Operations Officer in USS CORAL SEA homeported in Norfolk, Va. where he also flew as an E-2 pilot. This led to his being selected to attend the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) followed by being assigned to the Force Warfare Aircraft Test Directorate after graduation. That's impressive - but it's just the beginning!

During his career, Captain Mike was a flight instructor, a Chief Engineer for the T-45 Goshawk aircraft program and the Military Director for the Research and Engineering Group of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division where he was eventually assigned as the Navy liaison to NASA's Advanced Orbiter Cockpit Project at the Johnson Space Center. Captain Mike was selected for the astronaut program while working on this project.

Fun Fact: Capt. Foreman has logged over 5,000 hours in more than 50 different aircraft!

But what does an astronaut really do?

Once selected by NASA, Capt. Mike had a lot of interesting training ahead of him! Astronaut Candidate Training included orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness survival techniques. He was initially assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Space Station Branch where he represented the Astronaut Office on training issues. He was then assigned to the Space Shuttle Branch as a liaison between the Johnson Space Center and the Kennedy Space Center, otherwise known as a Cape Crusader. Captain Mike is now assigned to the crew of STS-120.

Fun Fact: Captain Mike was a Cape Crusader for several Shuttle Missions before being named to the STS-120 crew. Cape Crusaders are the Astronaut Support Personnel (ASP) who act as the shuttle crew's eyes and ears on the ground.

What a great astronaut!

Capt. Mike's achievements have earned him various service awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal. He's also received the following special honors: Graduated with Distinction, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School; Admiral William Adger Moffett Aeronautics Award, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School; Distinguished Graduate, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School; and the Empire Test Pilots School-sponsored award for best final report (DT-IIA), U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.

Fun Fact: Captain Mike is a proud Dad of three who can't wait for his flight into space!