1985—1991

Decorated Fighter Pilot

Flew combat missions in support of the liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. Served in the Gulf War flying an F-16 for the Air Force. Ejected from an ailing F-16 seconds before crashing. During this time, Ron learned how to face his fear and to perform under pressure. He is a highly decorated US Air Force pilot. Decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross for combat valor, and numerous other service awards.

1991—1994

Instructor Pilot

Ron flew as an instructor in the Air Force’s elite training unit at the USAF Fighter Weapons School.

1994—2000

Developmental Test Pilot

Attended US Navy Test Pilot School and flew test missions in the 39th and 40th Flight Test Squadrons at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

2000—2008

Astronaut Training

After his selection as a NASA astronaut, Ron participated in eight years of intense training in all aspects of space exploration while also holding a number of technical positions within NASA’s Astronaut Corps at the Johnson Space Center, Houston. During this period Ron also contributed to both the Columbia mishap investigation and the subsequent return-to-flight effort.

2005

Created Manna Energy Foundation

Ron founded and led the social enterprise incubator, Manna Energy Foundation, which conducted extensive development work in Africa. Manna was recognized as one of ten top innovators in the field of water purification.

2006

Record-Breaking Undersea Mission

Ron spent eighteen days living and working on the bottom of the ocean as a crew member on the NEEMO 9 undersea mission. Objectives included developing lunar surface exploration procedures, telemedicine, and telerobotic surgery for future lunar outposts.

2007

Created Manna Energy Limited

Ron co-created the social enterprise, Manna Energy Limited. The organization wrote the methodology that the United Nations adopted to award carbon credits for the purification of water. Manna worked with partner organizations to provide clean water to millions in Kenya and Rwanda.

2008

First Mission to Space

Ron flew his first mission to space as a crew member on Space Shuttle Discovery to carry up and install the Japanese laboratory on the International Space Station. He conducted three spacewalks on that mission in support of ISS construction.

2011

Second Mission to Space on a Russian Soyuz Spacecraft

Launching from the same launchpad that Yuri Gagarin had launched from fifty years prior, Ron was a fully integrated member of a Russian spacecraft crew for a six month mission aboard the ISS. As the US segment lead aboard the space station, he hosted the last two space shuttle missions and conducted the last space shuttle based spacewalk of the space shuttle era, bringing his total spacewalks to four.

2013

US Agency for International Development

Ron worked with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop collaborative tools to better conduct development and humanitarian missions.

2016—Present

Joined World View

Ron joined the commercial spaceflight company, World View, where he helped bring the new start-up to operational status and assisted in the development of a brand-new market in the stratosphere. Throughout his tenure, he served as chief pilot, senior vice president and co-president, and strategic advisor.

2014

Authored The Orbital Perspective

Ron wrote the critically acclaimed book The Orbital Perspective : Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles.

1991—1994

Instructor Pilot

Ron flew as an instructor in the Air Force’s elite training unit at the USAF Fighter Weapons School.

2000—2008

Astronaut Training

After his selection as a NASA astronaut, Ron participated in eight years of intense training in all aspects of space exploration while also holding a number of technical positions within NASA’s Astronaut Corps at the Johnson Space Center, Houston. During this period Ron also contributed to both the Columbia mishap investigation and the subsequent return-to-flight effort.

2006

Record-Breaking Undersea Mission

Ron spent eighteen days living and working on the bottom of the ocean as a crew member on the NEEMO 9 undersea mission. Objectives included developing lunar surface exploration procedures, telemedicine, and telerobotic surgery for future lunar outposts.

2008

First Mission to Space

Ron flew his first mission to space as a crew member on Space Shuttle Discovery to carry up and install the Japanese laboratory on the International Space Station. He conducted three spacewalks on that mission in support of ISS construction.

2013

US Agency for International Development

Ron worked with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop collaborative tools to better conduct development and humanitarian missions.

2014

Authored The Orbital Perspective

Ron wrote the critically acclaimed book The Orbital Perspective : Lessons in Seeing the Big Picture from a Journey of 71 Million Miles.

WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on this website.

Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.