Richard R. Arnold

Richard R. Arnold II is a retired NASA astronaut and educator whose career spans both the classroom and space exploration. Arnold holds an advanced professional certificate from the Maryland State Department of Education and has taught science and mathematics in five countries. After completing a teacher certification program at Frostburg State University, he earned a Master of Science in Marine, Estuarine, and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maryland. Arnold joined the faculty at Casablanca American School in Morocco, teaching college preparatory Biology and Marine Environmental Science, and presented workshops at international education conferences focused on science teaching methodologies. He also taught in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Romania, developing a global perspective on science education before joining NASA.

NASA selected Arnold as part of the Educator Astronaut Project, which brought teachers into the astronaut corps. He completed Astronaut Candidate Training, which included scientific and technical briefings, instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training, T-38 flight training, and water and wilderness survival training. Arnold served as an aquanaut during the NEEMO 13 project, an exploration research mission held in Aquarius, the undersea research laboratory.

Arnold flew on Space Shuttle mission STS-119, which delivered the final set of solar arrays to the International Space Station. During this mission, he completed two spacewalks, accumulating 12 hours and 34 minutes outside the station. Arnold was later assigned to ISS Expeditions 55/56 and launched aboard Soyuz MS-08. During that mission, he participated in educational downlink events and performed three spacewalks for maintenance and upgrades. In total, Arnold spent over 200 days in space during his NASA career.

Throughout his time aboard the International Space Station, Arnold engaged in educational outreach, communicating with classrooms and helping to bring to life science lessons originally intended for space, including the project known as "Christa's Lost Lessons." Alongside fellow astronaut Joseph Acaba, Arnold used his classroom experience to translate the complexities of spaceflight into accessible stories for students and the public, supporting STEM education and science communication.

After retiring from NASA, Arnold began working with the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. He continues to speak at science education conferences, including the National Science Teaching Association national conference, sharing insights on the transition from classroom teacher to astronaut and emphasizing the importance of educators in the future of science and space exploration. Arnold's journey from teaching middle school science in Maryland to conducting spacewalks above Earth positions him as a knowledgeable voice on science education, STEM outreach, and the impact of curiosity and perseverance in learning.