Jerry Linenger

Physician, epidemiologist, U.S. Navy flight surgeon, medical researcher, and NASA astronaut, Jerry Linenger M.D., M.P.H., M.S.S.M., Ph.D. epitomizes loyalty, high performance, and dedication to duty. Living for five months aboard the famously failing Russian space station Mir, Captain Linenger thrived in the face of seemingly overwhelming, life-threatening challenges. These included repeated failures of life support systems, a near-collision with an out-of-control incoming spacecraft, and computer failures leading to a power-dead spacecraft tumbling through space.

On top of these challenges, Astronaut Linenger survived what was reported to be the “worst fire ever aboard an orbiting spacecraft” that threatened to pierce the hull, create a rapid decompression, and suffocate all aboard.

Captain Linenger knows how to accomplish mission goals despite unforeseen challenges. He makes no excuses, gets the job done, and never gives up.

The crew accomplished all mission goals: Shuttle Atlantis docking, spacewalking, a Soyuz fly-around, and all 120 science experiments. At mission completion, Astronaut Linenger logged the equivalent distance of 110 round trips to the moon at a speed of 17,500 mph. He was the first American to conduct a spacewalk in a foreign spacesuit and held the endurance record for an American man at mission completion—a true pioneer.