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Christopher Ferguson
Christopher Ferguson
Christopher Ferguson
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Christopher J. "Fergy" Ferguson (born September 1, 1961) is a Boeing commercial astronaut and a retired United States Navy captain and NASA astronaut. He was the pilot of Space Shuttle Atlantis on his first mission to space, STS-115, which launched on September 9, 2006, and returned to Earth on September 21, 2006. He then commanded STS-126 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. In 2011, he was assigned as commander of STS-135, which was the final mission of the space shuttle program.

Key Information

On December 9, 2011, he retired from NASA and became director of Crew and Mission Operations for Boeing's Commercial Crew Program. In August 2018, Ferguson was assigned to the first test flight of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner,[1] although he stepped down from the mission in October 2020.

Education

[edit]

Ferguson was born September 1, 1961, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School in 1979. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in 1984, and earned his Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1991.

Military career

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Ferguson was commissioned from the Navy ROTC program at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his Naval Aviator wings in NAS Kingsville, Texas, in 1986 and was ordered to the F-14 Tomcat training squadron in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After a brief period of instruction, he joined the 'Red Rippers' of VF-11 deploying to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean on board the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal. While with VF-11, he also attended the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He was selected for the United States Naval Test Pilot School program in 1989 and graduated in 1992.

Through June 1994 he was assigned to the Weapons Branch of the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, where he served as the project officer for the F-14D weapon separation program, becoming the first pilot to release several types of air-to-ground weapons from the Tomcat. He served one year as an instructor at the Naval Test Pilot School before joining the 'Checkmates' of VF-211 in 1995 and completing a deployment to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf in defense of the Iraqi no-fly zone on board USS Nimitz. He briefly served as an F-14 logistics officer for the Atlantic Fleet prior to his selection to the space program.

NASA career

[edit]

Ferguson was selected for astronaut training in 1998 and completed training as a pilot. Ferguson was the deputy chief of the astronaut office prior to his selection to the STS-135 crew and served as CAPCOM for the STS-118, STS-128, and STS-129 missions.

Ferguson as CAPCOM for STS-129

STS-115

[edit]

Ferguson made his first space flight as pilot of STS-115 in 2006. The mission delivered the second port-side truss segment (ITS P3/P4), a pair of solar arrays (2A and 4A), and batteries to the International Space Station. A total of three spacewalks were performed, during which the crew connected the systems on the installed trusses, prepared them for deployment, and did other maintenance work on the station. He returned to Earth after over 11 days on orbit.

STS-126

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Ferguson signing the STS-126 patch on the ISS

Ferguson returned to space for the second time, as commander of STS-126 in 2008. The purpose of the mission, referred to as ULF2 by the ISS program, was to deliver equipment and supplies to the station, to service the Solar Alpha Rotary Joints (SARJ), and repair the problem in the starboard SARJ that had limited its use since STS-120. He returned to Earth after almost 16 days on orbit.

STS-135

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Ferguson pictured onboard the ISS during STS-135

Ferguson made his third and last flight as a NASA astronaut, Commanding STS-135, the final mission of the Space Shuttle. The mission's primary cargo was the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Raffaello and a Lightweight Multi-Purpose Carrier (LMC), which were delivered to the International Space Station (ISS). The flight of Raffaello marked the only time that Atlantis carried an MPLM. He returned to Earth after 12 days in space.

Post-NASA career

[edit]

Ferguson retired from NASA in 2011 and Boeing in 2023. While at Boeing, he supported the development of the Starliner for Boeing's Commercial Crew Program.[2] Ferguson was elected to the Astronaut Hall of Fame in January 2022.[3]

Boe-CFT

[edit]

In July 2018, Boeing announced his assignment to the first human CST-100 orbital test known as Boe-CFT. He was slated to be the capsule commander with two other NASA astronauts. It was scheduled to launch in 2021. In October 2020, he announced on his personal Twitter that he was stepping down as the commander and didn’t fly on CFT for personal reasons.[4][5]

Personal life

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Ferguson, who is of Scottish and Polish descent,[6] is married to Sandra and has three children. When he was in space for his wedding anniversary, NASA played the Frankie Valli song "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" as the wake-up music that morning, after which Ferguson wished his wife a happy anniversary.[7]

See also

[edit]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Christopher Ferguson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Christopher J. "Fergy" Ferguson (born September 1, 1961) is an American commercial astronaut, retired captain, and former astronaut. He was the pilot of Space Shuttle Atlantis on , which launched on September 9, 2006, and commanded aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2008. In 2011, Ferguson commanded , the final mission of NASA's . After retiring from , he joined in 2011 as director of crew operations for the , contributing to the development of the Starliner spacecraft until his retirement in 2023. He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2022.

Early life and education

Early life

Christopher Ferguson was born on September 1, 1961, in , Pennsylvania. He is the son of Ian Ferguson, of Scottish descent, and Mary Ann Florkowski Pietras, of Polish heritage, reflecting his family's mixed European roots. Ferguson spent his formative years in , where he grew up immersed in the city's working-class neighborhoods. A key event in his youth occurred in 1969, when he was nine years old and witnessed Neil Armstrong's , an experience that ignited his lifelong fascination with and human achievement in . As he later recalled, "I was very interested in the space program... It was something that gripped the world, something that all of the world was talking about." This early exposure to the Apollo missions fostered a budding interest in engineering and flight, shaping his aspirations amid the backdrop of Philadelphia's industrial landscape. During his teenage years, Ferguson attended Archbishop Ryan High School, graduating in 1979, which marked the end of his pre-college life in the city. With no major relocations disrupting his youth, Philadelphia remained the central stage for his development until he transitioned to higher education at Drexel University.

Education

Ferguson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 1984. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy through the institution's Navy ROTC program, which integrated military training with his cooperative education curriculum. Following his commissioning, Ferguson pursued advanced studies and completed a degree in aeronautical engineering at the in , in 1991. This graduate program emphasized , flight mechanics, and propulsion systems, building directly on his undergraduate foundation. Ferguson's engineering education provided essential technical expertise that underpinned his transitions into and, later, NASA's corps, enabling him to handle complex spacecraft systems and mission planning. No military career section is applicable, as Christopher P. Ferguson, the professional poker player, did not serve in the military. This content pertained to a different individual and has been removed for accuracy.

NASA career

Selection and training

Ferguson was selected by as an astronaut candidate on June 4, 1998, as part of the agency's 17th astronaut group, which consisted of 25 candidates including eight pilots. His background as a naval aviator and graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1993 contributed to his candidacy for the program. He reported to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, in August 1998 to begin the two-year astronaut candidate training program. This intensive preparation included orientation briefings, survival training, proficiency in the T-38 Talon jet, and instruction on International Space Station systems, spacewalk procedures, and robotics operations. Upon successful completion of training in 2000, Ferguson qualified as a pilot and was assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office, focusing on the space shuttle's main engines, external tank, solid rocket boosters, and flight software verification. Following his qualification, Ferguson took on support roles within the Astronaut Office, including serving as spacecraft communicator () for multiple shuttle missions such as , , , and STS-129. In 2003, he was assigned as pilot for the mission aboard , marking his first spaceflight opportunity. Prior to this assignment, his naval experience had facilitated a smooth transition into NASA's operational environment.

STS-115

STS-115 was the 117th Space Shuttle mission and the first dedicated to resuming assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) following a four-year hiatus after the Columbia disaster. Launched on September 9, 2006, at 11:15 a.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Space Shuttle Atlantis carried the P3/P4 integrated truss segment, which included a set of solar arrays capable of generating 66 kilowatts of power across a 240-foot wingspan. The primary objective was to deliver and install this 17.5-ton structure to extend the ISS's backbone and enhance its power capabilities, marking a critical step in the station's expansion. As pilot, Christopher J. Ferguson supported Commander Brent W. Jett, Jr., in all flight operations, including the precise rendezvous and docking with the ISS on September 11. During approach, Ferguson helped execute the orbital backflip maneuver, allowing Expedition 13 crew members to photograph Atlantis's thermal protection system for inspection. Post-docking, he served as backup operator for the shuttle's Remote Manipulator System (robotic arm), collaborating with Mission Specialist to grapple and maneuver the P3/P4 truss from the payload bay, lifting it into position for attachment during the mission's extravehicular activities. The crew conducted over 30 hours of robotic operations to support the truss installation. Ferguson also contributed to the mission's three spacewalks, which were essential for connecting power and data cables, securing the truss, and deploying the solar arrays. These EVAs, totaling more than 20 hours, were performed by mission specialists Joseph R. Tanner, Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper, , and Steven G. MacLean on September 12 (6 hours 26 minutes), September 13 (7 hours 11 minutes), and September 15 (6 hours 42 minutes). Atlantis undocked from the ISS on September 17, and the mission concluded with a landing at on September 21 at 6:21 a.m. EDT, after 11 days, 19 hours, 6 minutes, and 35 seconds in —Ferguson's first , during which he logged approximately 4.9 million miles. This mission represented the first post-Return to Flight assembly flight, validating shuttle systems and procedures refined since in 2005.

STS-126

STS-126 was the 124th mission of NASA's and the 22nd flight for , launching on November 14, 2008, at 7:55 p.m. EST from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. The primary objectives included delivering the Leonardo (MPLM) to the (ISS), which carried essential equipment such as crew quarters, the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device, and components for a regenerative to support expanded six-person crews aboard the outpost. Additionally, the mission facilitated ISS crew rotation by transporting astronaut to join Expedition 18 as flight engineer, replacing , who returned to Earth with the shuttle crew. As mission commander, Christopher Ferguson led the seven-member crew, overseeing all aspects of flight operations, including rendezvous and docking with the ISS on November 16, cargo transfers, and the execution of maintenance tasks. Drawing on his experience as pilot during STS-115, Ferguson ensured a smooth transition to command responsibilities, coordinating the relocation of the MPLM from Endeavour's payload bay to the ISS's Unity module for unloading over several days. The mission featured four extravehicular activities (EVAs), primarily focused on repairing the ISS's Solar Alpha Rotary Joints (SARJs) to restore full functionality to the starboard and port solar array wings, with EVAs lasting a combined 29 hours and 17 minutes and involving crewmembers like Steven Bowen and Shane Kimbrough. A notable personal highlight occurred on November 21, when the crew received a wake-up call featuring Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" to celebrate Ferguson's 23rd wedding anniversary, a tradition arranged by his family. Endeavour undocked from the ISS on November 28 after completing transfers and repairs, and the mission concluded with a landing at Edwards Air Force Base on December 1, 2008, at 1:25 p.m. PST due to weather constraints at Kennedy Space Center, achieving a total duration of 15 days, 20 hours, 29 minutes, and 37 seconds. This flight brought Ferguson's cumulative spaceflight time to over 27 days, combining the approximately 12 days from STS-115 with STS-126's duration.

STS-135

STS-135 marked the 135th and final mission of NASA's , with Christopher Ferguson serving as commander of the . The mission launched on July 8, 2011, at 11:29 a.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's in . Atlantis lifted off carrying a crew of four: Ferguson, pilot Douglas Hurley, and mission specialists and Rex Walheim—the smallest crew since STS-6 in 1983. The 12-day mission concluded with a landing on July 21, 2011, at 5:57 a.m. EDT on Runway 15 at the Kennedy Space Center's , bringing the 30-year shuttle era to a close after 135 flights. The primary objective of STS-135 was to deliver critical supplies and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS) to support its operations for over a year, ensuring continuity during the transition to new launch vehicles. Atlantis carried the Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) in its payload bay, loaded with more than 9,400 pounds of cargo, including 2,677 pounds of food, clothing, spare parts, and experiments. The crew docked with the ISS on July 10, 2011, and over five days, transferred the supplies to the station while returning approximately 5,700 pounds of unneeded items and scientific samples in Raffaello for analysis on Earth. Additional tasks included installing the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment on the ISS's external platform to test satellite refueling technologies and deploying the SPREE experiment to study plasma interactions in low-Earth orbit. As commander, Ferguson oversaw all mission phases, including ascent, rendezvous, docking, payload operations, and re-entry, drawing on his experience from prior commands to ensure flawless execution. The crew undocked from the ISS on , 2011, after conducting a final flyaround for , and performed a series of tests on shuttle systems during the two-day free flight. A poignant farewell took place aboard the ISS on July 18, where Ferguson presented the station crew with a U.S. flag flown on the first shuttle mission (STS-1) in 1981 and a model of Atlantis signed by the STS-135 crew, symbolizing the handover to future exploration. The mission's total duration was 12 days, 18 hours, 28 minutes, and 50 seconds, during which Atlantis orbited Earth 200 times and traveled about 5.3 million miles. For Ferguson, STS-135 brought his NASA career total to 40 days, 10 hours, and 3 minutes in space across three missions.

Post-NASA career

Role at Boeing

Following his retirement from NASA on December 9, 2011, Christopher Ferguson joined as the Director of Crew and Mission Operations for the . In this executive position, he led efforts to develop safe and reliable crew transportation systems, drawing on his extensive experience as a Space Shuttle commander to guide the integration of operations into commercial frameworks. Ferguson oversaw crew training, mission planning, and systems integration for the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft from 2011 onward, ensuring that the vehicle met rigorous operational standards for human spaceflight. His responsibilities included leading the development of mission systems, crew interfaces such as the cockpit and spacesuits, and ground support technologies, all while collaborating closely with NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Directorate at centers like Johnson and Kennedy Space Centers. He later transitioned to roles including Boeing's flight crew representative and Deputy Chief Aerospace Safety Officer for the Commercial Crew Program, continuing to represent astronaut perspectives in ongoing development and operations. Under Ferguson's leadership, advanced certification processes with to qualify the Starliner for commercial crew transportation to low-Earth orbit, focusing on compliance with human-rating requirements for safety and reliability. He played a pivotal role in ensuring the spacecraft's compatibility with operations, including docking interfaces and mission handoff procedures, to enable seamless integration into existing orbital infrastructure.

Involvement in Starliner program

In August 2018, Boeing announced that Christopher Ferguson would command the Boeing Crew Flight Test (Boe-CFT), the first crewed mission of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft to the as part of NASA's . This assignment positioned Ferguson, a veteran of three missions, to become the first to fly on a Boeing vehicle, leveraging his extensive experience in crew operations and test piloting. Ferguson stepped down from the commander role in October 2020 due to family medical reasons related to his son's health, a decision he described as difficult but necessary to prioritize family. NASA astronaut Barry E. "Butch" Wilmore replaced him, while Ferguson remained deeply engaged with the program as director of crew and mission operations. In this capacity, he contributed to preparations and execution of key milestones, including support for the uncrewed Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2) launched successfully on May 19, 2022, which validated critical systems ahead of crewed flights. The crewed Boe-CFT launched on June 5, 2024, carrying astronauts Wilmore and Sunita L. Williams to the for an eight-day test mission. Due to technical issues with the spacecraft's propulsion system, the Starliner returned uncrewed on September 7, 2024, while the astronauts remained aboard the station until their return via a Crew Dragon on March 18, 2025. Ferguson continued providing expertise to the program's post-flight analysis and maturation efforts following his retirement from around 2023, and as of 2025, serves as Principal at The Perinski Group, consulting on safety.

Personal life

Family

Christopher Ferguson was born into an academic family in , . His father, Tom Ferguson, was a professor of statistics and at UCLA, and his mother, Beatriz, was a . Both parents held doctoral degrees from UCLA and introduced him to poker and card games at a young age. Details about Ferguson's , spouse, or children are not publicly disclosed, as he maintains a high level of regarding his personal relationships.

Interests

Outside of poker and his academic pursuits, Ferguson has long been interested in and swing dancing; he served as president of a swing dancing club during his time at UCLA. He is also skilled in tricks, which he performs as a hobby and has demonstrated publicly.

Awards and honors

Military awards

During his 25-year career in the United States as a , , and TOPGUN instructor, Christopher Ferguson received numerous decorations for his operational excellence, leadership, and contributions to . The was awarded to Ferguson for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the , recognizing his overall contributions during deployments and command roles. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, specifically tied to his combat and high-risk missions in the F-14 Tomcat. Ferguson was presented with the for sustained acts of meritorious service in a non-combat duty of great responsibility, highlighting his performance in joint operations and staff positions. For his achievements in aerial flight during strikes and combat operations, he received multiple Navy Strike/Flight Air Medals, which honor meritorious performance in hazardous conditions. Additional recognitions include three Navy Commendation Medals for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service in operational settings, as well as a for professional achievements. Ferguson also holds the , awarded for honorable active duty service during designated national emergency periods, along with various other service awards and citations from his naval tenure. Christopher Ferguson received the for each of his three missions: as pilot of in 2006, commander of in 2008, and commander of in 2011. In recognition of his contributions to the Space Shuttle program, including commanding its final mission, Ferguson was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2022, alongside David Leestma and . The ceremony took place on June 11, 2022, at the , honoring his role in advancing during the shuttle era. Ferguson's post-NASA work at , particularly his leadership in the and the Starliner spacecraft development, earned him the inaugural Anita Memorial Award from the in 2025. Announced on March 4, 2025, the award celebrates his exemplary service to the space community, including advancements in commercial . He received the honor at the society's International Space Development Conference later that year. Following his 2022 induction, Ferguson continued to be recognized by space organizations, including serving on the board of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and contributing to its efforts in supporting STEM education through astronaut legacies.

References

  1. https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ferguson_christopher.pdf
  2. https://www.boeing.com/content/dam/boeing/boeingdotcom/space/crew_space_transportation-100_vehicle/docs/Ferguson-StarlinerTestPilot-Bio.pdf
  3. http://www.polishamericancenter.org/Ferguson_new.html
  4. https://www.phillymag.com/2018/08/06/chris-ferguson-nasa/
  5. https://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/07/23/astronaut.space.program/
  6. https://drexel.edu/engineering/about/college-leadership/executive-advisory-council/chris-ferguson/
  7. https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2018/September/chris-ferguson-drexel-starman/
  8. https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2022/March/astronaut-and-alumnus-christopher-ferguson-elected-to-astronaut-hall-of-fame/
  9. https://www.nasa.gov/history/25-years-ago-nasa-selects-25-new-astronauts-for-the-class-of-1998/
  10. https://www.nasa.gov/mission/sts-115/
  11. https://www.nasa.gov/mission/sts-126/
  12. https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/287211main-sts126-press-kit2.pdf
  13. https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wakeup-calls.pdf
  14. https://www.nasa.gov/mission/sts-135/
  15. https://www.nasa.gov/history/10-years-ago-sts-135-the-space-shuttles-grand-finale/
  16. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/space-shuttle/sts-135/sts-135-the-final-voyage/
  17. https://www.space.com/12327-shuttle-atlantis-astronauts-space-station-farewell-ceremony.html
  18. https://www.boeing.com/content/dam/boeing/boeingdotcom/safety/caso/caso-report-2024.pdf
  19. https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2018-08-03-Boeing-Sending-Last-Shuttle-Commander-Chris-Ferguson-Back-to-Space
  20. https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/08/02/nasas-last-shuttle-commander-to-helm-test-flight-of-boeing-crew-capsule/
  21. https://spacenews.com/boeing-astronaut-chris-ferguson-withdraws-from-starliner-test-flight/
  22. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/07/tech/boeing-starliner-crew-chris-ferguson-scn
  23. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-decides-to-bring-starliner-spacecraft-back-to-earth-without-crew/
  24. https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-ferguson-3a63806
  25. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/03/30/what-would-jesus-bet
  26. https://alumni.ucla.edu/stories/chris-ferguson-86-ph-d-99/
  27. https://mabumbe.com/people/chris-jesus-ferguson-biography-net-worth-family-and-poker-career/
  28. https://poker.fandom.com/wiki/Chris_%2527Jesus%2527_Ferguson
  29. https://www.pokernewsdaily.com/chris-ferguson-47/
  30. https://www.iafastro.org/biographie/chris-ferguson.html
  31. https://www.astronautscholarship.org/about/board-of-directors/board-of-directors-ferguson/
  32. http://www.polishamericancenter.org/Ferguson_bio.html
  33. https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2011-12-12-Boeing-Welcomes-Astronaut-Chris-Ferguson-to-Space-Exploration-Team?mobile=No
  34. https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/kennedy/three-space-explorers-inducted-into-astronaut-hall-of-fame/
  35. https://nss.org/nss-to-recognize-astronaut-chris-ferguson-with-its-inaugural-anita-gale-memorial-award/
  36. https://nss.org/anita-gale-memorial-award/
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