Press Release: Caltech Alumni Association

Caltech Alumni Astronauts Visit the International Space Station in 2008 Caltech boasts three alumni astronauts in 2008: Robert Behnken ('93 MS, '97 PhD ME), Gregory Errol Chamitoff ('85 MS AE), and Garrett Reisman ('92 MS, '97 PhD ME). Behnken and Reisman, both mechanical engineering grads, took flight on March 11, 2008 – the same day as the famed annual ME72 contest.

Behnken returned to Earth safely, while Reisman remains on board the ISS until late May. That's when Chamitoff will leave Earth aboard space shuttle Discovery's STS-124 mission. He'll switch places with Reisman, who will hitch a ride back on Discovery's return flight.

These Techers are not the first Caltech alumni to leave Earth on behalf of NASA of course: Dr. Harrison "Jack" Schmitt (BS '57 GE) was the first scientist to walk on the Moon, as part of Apollo 17 (and he later served in the U.S. Senate). Jack received Caltech's highest honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award, in 1973.

Learn more about the STS-123 and STS-124 missions.

Caltech Alumni Association 345 S. Hill Ave. Pasadena CA 91125 (626) 395-6592

> Acceptable Use Policy > Privacy Policy > Caltech Home Page