Susan Helms

Susan Helms, born on February twenty-sixth, nineteen fifty-eight, is a distinguished retired United States Air Force lieutenant general and NASA astronaut. Her remarkable career includes serving as the commander of the 14th Air Force and the Joint Functional Component Command for Space at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Helms has an impressive record as a crew member on five Space Shuttle missions, showcasing her expertise and dedication to space exploration. In two thousand one, she spent over five months as a resident of the International Space Station, contributing significantly to scientific research and international collaboration in space.

After a commendable career, Helms officially retired from the United States Air Force in two thousand fourteen. Her contributions to both civil and military space programs were recognized in two thousand twenty when she was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering, highlighting her influence and achievements in the field.