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Open: 9 AM to 5 PM
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Astronaut Appearance

Meet Astronaut Brian Duffy

Universe Theater

TueTuesdayAugust 19
WedWednesdayAugust 20
ThuThursdayAugust 21
FriFridayAugust 22
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Brian Duffy headshot
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Get the rare opportunity to meet a veteran NASA astronaut every day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Meet the Astronaut of the Day at any of the following opportunities:  

  • Astronaut Encounter – During these presentations, hear from the Astronaut of the Day about his or her unique experience living and working in space. Have your questions ready after the presentation. Astronaut Encounter is included with admission. 
  • Chat With An Astronaut – Enjoy a sampling of food and beverages while having a small-group conversation with the Astronaut of the Day about what it is really like to live and work in space. Chat With An Astronaut can be purchased in addition to admission. 
  • Autograph signings – get the astronaut’s autograph at The Space Shop and Shuttle Express at various times during the day. 

 See the Daily Schedule for the times for each when you arrive.

Learn more about this Astronaut of the Day below.

Brian Duffy headshot

Brian Duffy

  • Pilot, space shuttle Atlantis (STS-45)

  • Pilot, space shuttle Endeavor (STS-57)

  • Commander, space shuttle Endeavor (STS-72)

  • Commander, space shuttle Discovery (STS-92)

  • Deputy Director, Johnson Space Center

Brian Duffy contributed to four key space shuttle missions, logging over 975 hours in space, and played a vital role in expanding the International Space Station (ISS).

Brian Duffy’s first flight was in 1992 as pilot of space shuttle Atlantis (STS-45), carrying the ATLAS-1 mission to study the atmosphere and solar interactions. On space shuttle Endeavor (STS-57) in 1993, Duffy piloted the first flight of the commercial SPACEHAB, which doubled the pressurized workspace for experiments on the ISS and included a spacewalk and the retrieval of the European Retrievable Carrier.

As commander of STS-72 in 1996, Duffy led the retrieval of the Space Flyer Unit and tested techniques for future space station assembly. His leadership continued as commander of STS-92, where the crew helped expand the ISS by attaching the Z1 Truss and Pressurized Mating Adapter 3, laying the foundation for future assembly missions.

Duffy also served as spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for Mission Control and as Assistant Director and Deputy Director at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. After retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 2001, he served as Vice President at Lockheed Martin. As of January 2025, he currently serves as Vice President for Exploration Systems at Orbital ATK.

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