Astronaut Profile
Scott D. Altman
Commander
Scott Altman commanded the final, riskiest servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, then went on to fly stunt sequences for Top Gun: Maverick after leaving NASA.
OrbitingTruths Archive
Commander • Living
Biography
The person behind the mission
Scott D. Altman was a United States Navy pilot and NASA astronaut who flew four Space Shuttle missions. In 2009 he commanded STS-125, the fifth and final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, an unusually risky flight because no rescue shuttle could reach a stranded crew in Hubble's orbit. After leaving NASA, Altman worked as a pilot and technical advisor on the aerial sequences for the film Top Gun: Maverick.
Astronaut Details
Born
August 15, 1959
Birthplace
Lincoln, Illinois, USA
Role
Commander
Program
Space Shuttle
Time in Space
Approximately 51 days
Missions
STS-90, STS-106, STS-109, STS-125
Recognition
Awards & Honors
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- NASA Exceptional Service Medal
- NASA Space Flight Medal