Happy birthday, astronaut Michael Barratt!

Michael Barratt, born April 16, 1959 in Vancouver, Washington, is a veteran of two space flights.

His first mission was aboard Soyuz TMA-14 in March 2009 to the International Space Station.  He participated in Expeditions 19 and 20.  He and fellow astronaut Gennady Padalka performed two EVAs during the mission.  Barratt returned to Earth October 2009.

His second and final mission was aboard Discovery's final mission (STS-133) as mission specialist in February-March 2011 to the ISS.  Barratt operated the Canadarm2 during the mission.

In October 2004, Barratt participated in the Aquarius underwater laboratory during the NEEMO 7 mission.

Soyuz TMA-14 launched 2009

From left to right: Charles Simonyi, Gennadi Padalka, Michael Barratt

Mission patch

Soyuz TMA-14, launched March 26, 2009, carried two members of Expedition 19 to the International Space Station.  Its crew was Gennady Padalka (Roscosmos) and Michael Barratt (NASA).  Also on board was a space tourist Charles Simonyi, who was traveling on his second self-funded flight to the space station.

Padalka and Barratt stayed on the ISS throughout Expeditions 19 and 20 and returned to Earth, October 11, 2009.  Another space tourist, Guy Laliberte from Canada, returned with them. 

Roscosmos and nations' space program invited children from ages 6-15 to design and submit a patch for Soyuz TMA-14.  The winner was Anna Chibiskova from Moscow.  Her artwork was incorporated into the patch. 

Discovery's final launch 2011

From left to right: Alvin Drew, Nicole Stott, Eric Boe, Steven Lindsey, Michael Barratt and Steve Bowen

Mission Patch

Space Shuttle Discovery took off February 24, 2011, NASA's 133rd shuttle mission to the International Space Station and the last flight of Discovery.  Its crew consisted of Commander Steven Lindsey, Pilot Eric Boe, Nicole Stott, Alvin Drew, Michael Barratt, Stephen Bowen

It was originally slated to launch in September 2010, but moved back to October 2010 and then February 2011.  It also took several attempts to land, scrubbing the first five tries.

They returned to Earth March 9.