Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Houston, Texas 77058

Biographical Data

NAME: Jeffrey S. Ashby (Commander, USN)

NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA:

Born June 16, 1954 in Dallas, Texas. Raised in the Colorado mountains. Not married. Recreational interests include skiing, backpacking, fly fishing.

EDUCATION:

Graduated from Evergreen High School, Evergreen, Colorado in 1972. Bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Idaho, 1976. Master of science degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee, 1993.

SPECIAL HONORS:

Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Air Medals (4), Navy Commendation Medals (2), Navy Achievement Medal, and numerous Unit decorations. Navy Attack Aviator of the Year, 1991.

EXPERIENCE:

Ashby has accumulated over 5000 flight hours and 1000 carrier landings. He is a graduate of the Naval Test Pilot School (1988) and the Naval Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun, 1986).

During his 16 year tenure as a fleet Navy pilot, Ashby completed five carrier deployments, flying A-7E and FA-18 aircraft from the USS CONSTELLATION, USS CORAL SEA, USS MIDWAY, and USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. He has flown missions in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Southern Watch in Iraq, and Operation Continue Hope in Somalia. Ashby completed 33 combat missions in the FA-18 during Operation Desert Storm.

As a Navy test pilot, Ashby participated in the early development of the FA-18 aircraft, directing and flying tests of its smart weapons systems and electronic warfare suite. He has flown test flights for over 80 projects including carrier suitability, ordnance release, and flying qualities of the Night attack and reconnaissance versions of the Hornet.

In his final operational Navy tour, Ashby served as the Commanding Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 94.

NASA EXPERIENCE:

Selected by NASA in December 1994, Ashby reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. He is presently assigned to work technical issues as an assistant to the Director, Flight Crew Operations.