Jack Fischer is in space… That’s right… Bart Fischer’s brother, Jack Fischer achieved his dream of being in space when he launched from Kazakhstan on 4/20/17. He is now living for the next 6 months on the International Space Station.
Summary:
Jack D. Fischer was selected in July 2009 as a member of the 20th NASA astronaut class. He completed astronaut training in 2011. Prior to becoming an astronaut, the Colorado native graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering. He went on to receive a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1998. Col. Fischer has worked in the Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM), Soyuz, International Space Station Operations, International Space Station Integration, and Exploration branches of the Astronaut Office. He is currently a part of the Expedition 51/52 crew that launched to the International Space Station in April 2017.
Personal Data:
Born in 1974, Fischer’s hometown is Louisville, Colorado. He is married to the former Elizabeth Simonson from Boulder, Colorado. They have two daughters. Fischer’s father, Gary Fischer, is deceased, and his mother, JoBelle Fischer, still lives near Louisville, Colorado.
Education:
Centaurus High School, Lafayette, Colorado, 1992; Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, 1996; Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. 1998.
Experience:
After graduating from Cadet Squadron CS-26 Mighty Barons, as a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1996, Fischer went on to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to complete his master’s degree before attending Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, in 1998. He then attended F-15E Strike Eagle training at Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, before being assigned as an operational pilot in the 391st Fighter Squadron Bold Tigers. Fischer served two combat tours in Southwest Asia following September 11, 2001, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Southern Watch over Afghanistan and Iraq. He was then selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (TPS) at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and graduated with Class 03-B in June 2004. After TPS, he transitioned to F-15 and weapons testing with the 40th Flight Test Squadron Red Devils at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where he served as project pilot for numerous programs and weapons, including the Small Diameter Bomb. In 2006, Fischer again returned to Edwards Air Force Base, as part of the F-22 Combined Test Force and 411th Flight Test Squadron testing the world’s only air dominance fighter, the F-22 Raptor. In 2008, he was selected for in-residence Air Command and Staff College as a Strategic Policy Intern in Washington, D.C. While serving two six-month rotations at the Pentagon, Fischer served in the Chairman’s Action Group for the Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff and in the Space and Intelligence Capabilities Office with the Senior Advisor for the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Colonel Fischer is an Air Force Command pilot with 3,000 flight hours in more than 45 types of aircraft.
NASA Experience:
Fischer was selected in July 2009 as a member of the 20th NASA astronaut class. He completed astronaut candidate training in July 2011, and is now qualified for future assignment. He has worked in the CAPCOM, Soyuz, International Space Station Operations, ISS Integration, and Exploration branches of the Astronaut Office. He has been assigned and is training to serve as Flight Engineer for Expeditions 51 and 52, scheduled to launch in April 2017.
Spaceflight Experience:
Fisher is currently a part of the Expedition 51/52 crew that launched to the International Space Station in April 2017.
Awards/Honors:
U.S. Air Force Academy Distinguished Graduate and Outstanding Cadet in Astronautics (1996); Draper Fellow, Draper Labs/Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1996 to 1998); Liethen-Tittle, Aaron C-Dot George and Onizuka Prop Wash Awards and Distinguished Graduate, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School; Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Ray E. Tenhoff
Outstanding Paper Award and Herman R. Fish Salmon Technical Publications Award (2008). Military decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, four Air Medals, eight Aerial Achievement Medals, Combat Action Medal, Commendation Medal and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. NASA awards include three JSC Superior Achievement Awards, Stephen D. Thorne Aviation Safety Award, and numerous commendations and group awards for innovation and achievement.
Organizations:
Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Order of Daedalians, Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, M.I.T. Alumni Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Gamma Tau Engineering Honor Societies.
Pronunciation:
JAK FISH-er
