Doug Hurley

Doug Hurley, born on October twenty-first, nineteen sixty-six, is a distinguished American engineer and former Marine Corps pilot who has made significant contributions to space exploration as a NASA astronaut. His career is marked by remarkable achievements, including piloting two Space Shuttle missions: STS-127 in July two thousand nine and STS-135 in July two thousand eleven, the latter being the final flight of the Space Shuttle program.

In a groundbreaking moment for commercial spaceflight, Hurley commanded Crew Dragon Demo-2, marking his third journey into space. This mission was particularly historic as it represented the first crewed spaceflight from American soil since STS-135, and he, alongside Bob Behnken, became the first astronauts to launch aboard a commercial orbital spacecraft.

Doug's aviation prowess extends beyond space travel; he was the first Marine to fly the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, showcasing his exceptional skills as a pilot. Known by his call sign 'Chunky', he has been recognized for his contributions to both military and civilian aviation, often referred to by this name during communication loops.