List of married couples among space travelers
Encyclopedia
This is a list of people trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft who are at present, or were at any other time, married to a person with similar qualifications.
became the first woman in space on 16 June 1963. She set a further precedent when on 3 November 1963 at the Moscow Wedding Palace she married fellow cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev
(1929–2004), the only bachelor to have flown at that time. Nikita Khrushchev
himself presided at the wedding party, together with top government and space program leaders.
In the United States
, the first married astronauts were Anna L. Fisher
and William F. Fisher
, who already were a married couple by the time they were selected by NASA
in 1978. Their first child was born in 1983. When Anna L. Fisher flew aboard Discovery
on STS-51-A
in 1985, she became the first mother in space.
The first NASA astronauts to marry after being accepted into the Astronaut Corps were M. Rhea Seddon
and Robert L. Gibson
, who married in April 1981.
The first married couple to fly in space together were N. Jan Davis and Mark C. Lee
who both served as mission specialists aboard Endeavour
on STS-47
in September 1992. Lee and Davis had met during training for the flight and had married in secret. They disclosed their marriage to NASA shortly before the flight, when it was too late to train a substitute. NASA has since changed the rules and will not allow married astronauts on the same flight.
Three of the women who married fellow space travelers also hold the distinction of being the first female representatives of their country to reach orbit. These are Valentina Tereshkova
(USSR/Russia), Sally K. Ride
(USA) and Claudie Haigneré
(France).
Europe
USSR/Russia
Milestones
Soviet cosmonaut Valentina TereshkovaValentina Tereshkova
Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova is a retired Soviet cosmonaut, and was the first woman in space. She was selected out of more than four hundred applicants, and then out of five finalists, to pilot Vostok 6 on the 16 June, 1963, becoming both the first woman and the first civilian to fly in...
became the first woman in space on 16 June 1963. She set a further precedent when on 3 November 1963 at the Moscow Wedding Palace she married fellow cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev
Andrian Nikolayev
Andriyan Grigoryevich Nikolayev , was a Soviet cosmonaut. He was an ethnic Chuvash.- History :...
(1929–2004), the only bachelor to have flown at that time. Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War. He served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or Premier, from 1958 to 1964...
himself presided at the wedding party, together with top government and space program leaders.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the first married astronauts were Anna L. Fisher
Anna Lee Fisher
Anna Lee Tingle Fisher is an American chemist and a NASA astronaut.-Biography:Although Fisher was born in in New York City, she grew up in San Pedro, California and considers it her hometown. She is a 1967 graduate of San Pedro High School...
and William F. Fisher
William Frederick Fisher
William Frederick Fisher is American physician and a former NASA Astronaut.-Personal:Born April 1, 1946, in Dallas, Texas. He was married to a fellow astronaut, Dr. Anna Lee Fisher of St. Albans, New York in 1977. They have two daughters, Kristin Anne and Kara Lynne . .The Drs. Fisher were...
, who already were a married couple by the time they were selected by NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
in 1978. Their first child was born in 1983. When Anna L. Fisher flew aboard Discovery
Space Shuttle Discovery
Space Shuttle Discovery is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States, and was operational from its maiden flight, STS-41-D on August 30, 1984, until its final landing during STS-133 on March 9, 2011...
on STS-51-A
STS-51-A
STS-51-A was the second flight of Space Shuttle Discovery, and the 14th flight of NASA's Space Shuttle program. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on 8 November 1984, and landed just under eight days later on 16 November....
in 1985, she became the first mother in space.
The first NASA astronauts to marry after being accepted into the Astronaut Corps were M. Rhea Seddon
Margaret Rhea Seddon
Margaret Rhea Seddon is a physician and retired NASA astronaut. After being selected as part of the first group of astronauts to include women, she flew on three Space Shuttle flights: as mission specialist for STS-51-D and STS-40, and as payload commander for STS-58...
and Robert L. Gibson
Robert L. Gibson
Robert Lee "Hoot" Gibson is a retired Captain and Naval Aviator in the United States Navy and a retired NASA astronaut.-Personal:...
, who married in April 1981.
The first married couple to fly in space together were N. Jan Davis and Mark C. Lee
Mark C. Lee
Mark Charles Lee USAF Colonel, is a former NASA astronaut who flew on four Space Shuttle missions. He retired from the Air Force and NASA on July 1, 2001.-Early life:...
who both served as mission specialists aboard Endeavour
Space Shuttle Endeavour
Space Shuttle Endeavour is one of the retired orbiters of the Space Shuttle program of NASA, the space agency of the United States. Endeavour was the fifth and final spaceworthy NASA space shuttle to be built, constructed as a replacement for Challenger...
on STS-47
STS-47
STS-47 was the 50th Space Shuttle mission of the program, as well as the second mission of Space Shuttle Endeavour. The mission mainly involved conducting experiments in life and material sciences.-Crew:-Backup crew:-Mission parameters:* Mass:...
in September 1992. Lee and Davis had met during training for the flight and had married in secret. They disclosed their marriage to NASA shortly before the flight, when it was too late to train a substitute. NASA has since changed the rules and will not allow married astronauts on the same flight.
Three of the women who married fellow space travelers also hold the distinction of being the first female representatives of their country to reach orbit. These are Valentina Tereshkova
Valentina Tereshkova
Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova is a retired Soviet cosmonaut, and was the first woman in space. She was selected out of more than four hundred applicants, and then out of five finalists, to pilot Vostok 6 on the 16 June, 1963, becoming both the first woman and the first civilian to fly in...
(USSR/Russia), Sally K. Ride
Sally Ride
Sally Kristen Ride is an American physicist and a former NASA astronaut. Ride joined NASA in 1978, and in 1983 became the first American woman—and then-youngest American, at 32—to enter space...
(USA) and Claudie Haigneré
Claudie Haigneré
Claudie Haigneré is a French doctor, politician, and former astronaut with the Centre National d'Études Spatiales and the European Space Agency ....
(France).
EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
- Claudie HaigneréClaudie HaigneréClaudie Haigneré is a French doctor, politician, and former astronaut with the Centre National d'Études Spatiales and the European Space Agency ....
(FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) and Jean-Pierre HaigneréJean-Pierre HaigneréJean-Pierre Haigneré is a French Air Force officer and a former CNES astronaut.Haigneré was born in Paris, France and joined the French Air Force, where he trained as a test pilot....
(FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) - Heike Walpot (GermanyGerman astronaut teamThe German astronaut team was established in 1987, until it became part of the European Astronaut Corps in 1998. Before the establishment of the team German astronauts were selected for single missions, or as part of the ESA manned spaceflight activities....
) and Hans SchlegelHans SchlegelHans Wilhelm Schlegel is a German physicist, an ESA astronaut, and a veteran of two NASA Space Shuttle missions.-Early life and education:...
(GermanyGerman astronaut teamThe German astronaut team was established in 1987, until it became part of the European Astronaut Corps in 1998. Before the establishment of the team German astronauts were selected for single missions, or as part of the ESA manned spaceflight activities....
) - Marianne MerchezMarianne MerchezMarianne Merchez is a Belgian doctor from the Catholic University of Louvain and a former European Space Agency astronaut....
(BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
) and Maurizio CheliMaurizio CheliMaurizio Cheli is an Italian engineer, air force officer, a European Space Agency astronaut and a veteran of one NASA space shuttle mission....
(ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
)
USA
- Anna L. FisherAnna Lee FisherAnna Lee Tingle Fisher is an American chemist and a NASA astronaut.-Biography:Although Fisher was born in in New York City, she grew up in San Pedro, California and considers it her hometown. She is a 1967 graduate of San Pedro High School...
('78) and William F. FisherWilliam Frederick FisherWilliam Frederick Fisher is American physician and a former NASA Astronaut.-Personal:Born April 1, 1946, in Dallas, Texas. He was married to a fellow astronaut, Dr. Anna Lee Fisher of St. Albans, New York in 1977. They have two daughters, Kristin Anne and Kara Lynne . .The Drs. Fisher were...
('80) - divorced. - M. Rhea SeddonMargaret Rhea SeddonMargaret Rhea Seddon is a physician and retired NASA astronaut. After being selected as part of the first group of astronauts to include women, she flew on three Space Shuttle flights: as mission specialist for STS-51-D and STS-40, and as payload commander for STS-58...
('78) and Robert L. GibsonRobert L. GibsonRobert Lee "Hoot" Gibson is a retired Captain and Naval Aviator in the United States Navy and a retired NASA astronaut.-Personal:...
('78) - married in 1981. - Sally K. RideSally RideSally Kristen Ride is an American physicist and a former NASA astronaut. Ride joined NASA in 1978, and in 1983 became the first American woman—and then-youngest American, at 32—to enter space...
('78) and Steven HawleySteven HawleySteven Alan Hawley is a former NASA astronaut who flew on five spaceflights.-Personal data:Born December 12, 1951, in Ottawa, Kansas, but considers Salina, Kansas, to be his hometown. Currently married to the former Eileen M. Keegan of Redondo Beach, California, a public affairs officer at NASA...
('78) - married 1982, divorced 1987. - N. Jan Davis ('87) and Mark C. LeeMark C. LeeMark Charles Lee USAF Colonel, is a former NASA astronaut who flew on four Space Shuttle missions. He retired from the Air Force and NASA on July 1, 2001.-Early life:...
('84) - divorced - Linda M. GodwinLinda M. GodwinLinda Maxine Godwin is an American scientist and a NASA astronaut. Godwin is the Assistant to the Director for Exploration, Flight Crew Operations Directorate at the Johnson Space Center.-Background:...
('85) and Steven R. NagelSteven R. NagelSteven Ray Nagel is a retired Colonel in the USAF and a former NASA astronaut.-Personal data:Born October 27, 1946, in Canton, Illinois. Married to fellow astronaut Linda M. Godwin of Houston, Texas. Two daughters. His hobbies include sport flying and music. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan R....
('78) - Tamara E. JerniganTamara E. JerniganTamara Elizabeth "Tammy" Jernigan, Ph.D. is an American scientist and former NASA astronaut and a veteran of five shuttle missions.-Education:...
('85) and Peter J.K. Wisoff ('90) - Bonnie J. Dunbar ('80) and Ronald M. Sega ('90) - divorced.
- Shannon WalkerShannon WalkerShannon Walker is an American scientist and a NASA astronaut, whose first space mission was Expedition 24 on the International Space Station with take-off on 15 June 2010. She is married to a fellow NASA astronaut, the Australian-born Andy Thomas...
('04) and Andrew S. W. ThomasAndy ThomasAndrew "Andy" Sydney Withiel Thomas is an Australian-born American aerospace engineer and a NASA astronaut. He became a U.S. citizen in December 1986, hoping to gain entry to NASA's astronaut program...
('92) - K. Megan McArthurK. Megan McArthurKatherine Megan McArthur is an American oceanographer and a NASA astronaut. She has served as a CAPCOM for both the space shuttle and space station. Megan McArthur has flown one space shuttle mission, STS-125. She is known as the last person to be hands on with the Hubble Space Telescope...
('00) and Robert L. BehnkenRobert L. BehnkenRobert Louis "Bob" Behnken is an engineer, U. S. Air Force officer and a NASA astronaut. Behnken holds a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering and has reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Bob Behnken has logged over 1000 flight hours in 25 different aircraft. He flew on Space...
('00) - Karen L. NybergKaren L. NybergKaren LuJean Nyberg is an American mechanical engineer and NASA astronaut. Nyberg was the 50th woman in space.-Personal:...
('00) and Douglas G. Hurley ('00)
USSR/RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
- Valentina TereshkovaValentina TereshkovaValentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova is a retired Soviet cosmonaut, and was the first woman in space. She was selected out of more than four hundred applicants, and then out of five finalists, to pilot Vostok 6 on the 16 June, 1963, becoming both the first woman and the first civilian to fly in...
and Andriyan Nikolayev - married 1963, divorced in 1982. - Yelena KondakovaYelena KondakovaYelena Vladimirovna Kondakova was the third Soviet/Russian female cosmonaut to travel to space and the first woman to make a long-duration spaceflight. Her first trip into space was on Soyuz TM-20 on October 4, 1994. She returned to Earth on March 22, 1995 after a five-month stay at the Mir space...
and Valeri Ryumin - married in 1985.