Happy birthday, NASA astronaut Terry Virts!

Terry Virts, born December 1, 1967 in Baltimore, Maryland, has been in space twice.

His first mission was aboard Endeavour (STS-130) as pilot to the International Space Station in February 2010.  Its primary payloads were the Tranquility module and the Cupola, a control station that provided a 360° view of the station.

His second trip was aboard Soyuz TMA-15M, launched in November 2014.  He participated in Expedition 42 and served as commander of Expedition 43.  

He has performed 3 EVAs for just over 19 hours.

Soyuz TMA 15M launched 2014

Soyuz TMA-15M crew (L-R): Anton Shkaplerov, Samantha Cristoforetti, Terry Virts

Mission patch

Soyuz TMA-15M, launched November 23, 2014, carried the crew of Expedition 42 to the International Space Station.  The crew consisted of Commander Anton Shkaplerov (Roscosmos), Samantha Cristoforetti (ESA) and Terry Virts (NASA).

They returned to Earth in June 2015 after almost 200 days in space.

Endeavour (STS-130) launched 2010

STS-130 mission patch

Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-130), launched February 8, 2010, was the 10th flight of Endeavour to the International Space Station. Its crew consisted of Commander George Zamka, Pilot Terry Virts, Kathryn Hire, Stephen Robinson, Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken.

Patrick and Behnken performed 3 EVAs during the mission for a total of 18 1/2 hours.

They returned to Earth on February 22.

Space Shuttle Endeavor, final piece of the ISS, launched 2010

February 8, 2010, Endeavor launched successfully with six crew members to deliver the last pieces of the International Space Station.  Under the command of George D. Zamka and pilot Terry Virts (Maryland native!), Endeavor rendezvoused with the ISS on the second day.  The Cupola was one of the main cargo items, a robotic control station with six windows on its sides and another in the middle, which gives a 360° view of the station.

Mission specialists Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken performed 3 EVA's during the flight.  Endeavor landed February 15 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.