Mike Massimino
Michael J. Massimino | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michael James Massimino August 19, 1962 Oceanside, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Mike Massimino |
| Occupation(s) | Mechanical engineer, professor, former NASA astronaut |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Known for | NASA astronaut; spacewalks during STS-109 and STS-125; professor at Columbia University |
| Notable work | Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe |
Michael James Massimino (born August 19, 1962) is an American professor specializing in mechanical engineering at Columbia University and a former NASA astronaut. He currently holds the position of senior advisor for space programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
Early life
Massimino was born in Oceanside, New York and grew up in Franklin Square, New York, both located on Long Island. He completed his secondary education at H. Frank Carey Junior-Senior High School in 1980. In 1984, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from Columbia University. He pursued further studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned two master's degrees in 1988—one in mechanical engineering and another in Technology and Public Policy. Continuing at MIT, he obtained a Mechanical Engineer degree in 1990 followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in mechanical engineering in 1992.
Career
Following his undergraduate graduation from Columbia, Massimino worked as a systems engineer for IBM in New York City between 1984 and 1986. Subsequently, he undertook graduate research at MIT with an emphasis on human control of space robotic systems within the Mechanical Engineering Department's human–machine systems Laboratory, resulting in two patents. In the summer of 1987, he served as a general engineer at NASA Headquarters’ Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology. By 1988, he had completed two master's degrees at MIT and went on to earn a Mechanical Engineering degree and Ph.D. by 1992.
Massimino’s research appointments included time at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (1988-1989) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in 1990. Later, he joined McDonnell Douglas Aerospace in Houston where he developed laptop display systems to support Space Shuttle remote manipulator operators; among these was the Manipulator Position Display utilized during STS-69. From 1992 to 1994, he served as an adjunct assistant professor at Rice University, teaching courses on feedback control of mechanical systems. In 1995, he accepted an assistant professorship at the Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, concentrating on human-machine interface design for aerospace applications.
NASA career
Massimino was selected as part of the astronaut candidate group in May 1996. He reported to the Johnson Space Center that August and completed two years of training to qualify as a mission specialist. During his tenure, he contributed to the Astronaut Office Robotics Branch and Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Branch, served as a CAPCOM in Mission Control, and undertook various technical assignments within the CAPCOM Branch.
On July 29, 2014, Massimino announced his resignation from NASA to join the faculty at Columbia University, shifting his focus toward academia in New York City.
Spaceflight experience
STS-109 aboard Columbia (March 1–12, 2002) was the fourth servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The crew installed upgrades including a new power unit, the Advanced Camera for Surveys, and replacement solar arrays. This mission set a record with nearly 36 hours spent on five spacewalks. Massimino participated in two EVAs totaling 14 hours and 46 minutes. The mission completed 165 orbits around Earth, traveling approximately 4.5 million miles over more than 262 hours.
The final Hubble servicing mission by the Space Shuttle was STS-125, conducted aboard Atlantis (May 11–24, 2009). Due to unfavorable weather conditions, Atlantis landed at California instead of Florida. During this flight, Massimino became the first astronaut to use Twitter from orbit, sharing updates that emphasized both the mission’s importance and his personal involvement.
Post-NASA career
At Columbia University, Massimino imparts knowledge in the course Introduction to Human Space Flight, drawing upon his rich academic background and professional experience. Additionally, he plays a role in teaching The Art of Engineering, a program designed to engage first-year engineering students in projects centered on social impact.
His 2016 publication, Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe, achieved status as a New York Times best-seller, broadening his recognition beyond the aerospace sector.
In honor of his accomplishments, the street in Franklin Square, Long Island, where Massimino was raised, was renamed "Mike Massimino Street". On September 17, 2022, he held the position of Grand Marshal during New York City's Feast of San Gennaro.
In media
Massimino is a regular presence on television news and talk programs such as NBC's Today Show, ABC's Good Morning America, CNN, and Fox News. His appearances also include late-night shows like the Late Show with David Letterman and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
He portrayed himself on the PBS children's series Sid the Science Kid in an episode focused on scientific topics.
Beginning in 2012, Massimino had a recurring part on the CBS comedy The Big Bang Theory, playing an astronaut who travels aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station. He also appeared advising a character on pitching a baseball. His credit is listed as "Mike Massimino, NASA Astronaut".
Massimino frequently contributes to Neil deGrasse Tyson's podcast and television show StarTalk. He has participated twice in storytelling events hosted by The Moth, sharing narratives about repairing the Hubble Space Telescope and astronaut preparation.
He makes a cameo in the 2012 novel A Hologram for the King, discussing his experiences in space, and featured on episode 414 of The Nerdist Podcast.
After the 2013 debut of the film Gravity, Massimino provided commentary on its scientific authenticity. The character portrayed by George Clooney was reportedly partly inspired by Massimino's spacewalk missions.
His book, Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe, was released by Crown Archetype on October 4, 2016, with an audiobook version narrated by Massimino himself.
In 2017, he hosted live coverage of the total solar eclipse known as the "Great American Eclipse" for Science Channel. Following that, he presented Science Channel's series The Planets, which investigates planets, dwarf planets, and exoplanets. This series was renewed in 2018 as The Planets and Beyond, accompanied by an online companion show titled Ask the Astronaut, where he shares insights from his spaceflight career.
In 2019, Massimino led a YouTube series produced by Wired that explored contrasts between terrestrial life and living in space, addressing subjects such as nutrition, sleep habits, and personal hygiene.
He lent his voice to portray a NASA launch control officer in the 2022 animated comedy film Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe.
In 2024, Massimino featured as a guest on the podcast Finding Mastery, where he offered perspectives as an astronaut guiding listeners toward accomplishing extraordinary goals.
Organizations
Awards and honors
- Recipient of NASA Space Flight Medals
- Awarded the NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program Fellowship
- Honored with the 2005 Guglielmo Marconi Award from the Order Sons of Italy in America
- Winner of the Christopher Award
- Recognized with Columbia University’s Outstanding Community Service Award for Community Impact
- Recipient of the Communications Award from the National Space Club
Personal life
Massimino is married to Jessica Marinaccio and has two children from a prior marriage.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Hubble | Himself | IMAX 3D documentary directed by Toni Myers, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, featuring spacewalks and spectacular views captured by the Hubble Telescope. |
| 2010 | SXSW Flashback 2010 | Himself | Documentary covering the 2010 South by Southwest festival held in Austin, Texas. |
| 2011 | Sid the Science Kid | Himself | Appeared in episode "I Want to Be a Scientist!" (episode 57) |
| 2011–14 | The Big Bang Theory | Himself | Made guest appearances in several episodes, including "The Friendship Contraction" and "The Table Polarization." |
| 2015–16 | StarTalk | Himself | Featured alongside Chris Hadfield, Bas Lansdorp (Mars One), and Buzz Aldrin. |
| 2017–18 | The Planets and Beyond | Himself | Hosted this Science Channel series and its companion web series Ask the Astronaut. |
| 2018 | One Strange Rock | Himself | Participated in National Geographic Channel’s series. |
| 2022 | Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe | NASA Launch Control | Provided a voice cameo. |
| 2024 | Space Cadet | Himself |
Books
- Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe (2016)
- Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut's Guide to Achieving the Impossible (2023)
External links
- MICHAEL J. MASSIMINO (PH.D.), NASA ASTRONAUT (FORMER) – NASA, July 2014
- 1962 births
- American astronauts
- American people of Italian descent
- Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science alumni
- Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science faculty
- Georgia Tech faculty
- IBM employees
- Living people
- MIT School of Engineering alumni
- People from Franklin Square, New York
- People from Oceanside, New York
- Rice University faculty
- Space Shuttle program astronauts
- Space systems engineers
- American systems engineers
- Spacewalkers