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Astronaut Appearance

Meet Astronaut Don Thomas

Universe Theater

MonMondayMarch 23
TueTuesdayMarch 24
WedWednesdayMarch 25
ThuThursdayMarch 26
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Included with Admission

Don Thomas 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.

Don Thomas headshot

Donald A. Thomas

  • Mission Specialist, NASA T-28 jet aircraft

  • CAPCOM, space shuttle Endeavor (STS-47)

  • CAPCOM, space shuttle Columbia (STS-52)

  • CAPCOM, space shuttle Discovery (STS-53)

  • NASA Director of Operations, Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

  • Mission Specialist, space shuttle Columbia (STS-65)

  • Mission Specialist, space shuttle Discovery (STS-70)

  • Mission Specialist, space shuttle Columbia (STS-83)

  • Mission Specialist, space shuttle Columbia (STS-94)

  • Program Scientist, International Space Station

Dr. Donald “Don” Thomas is an accomplished aerospace engineer and NASA astronaut with over 1,040 hours in space, contributing to groundbreaking research in materials science and space exploration.

Don Thomas began his career in aerospace engineering in 1987 at Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Company, where he focused on Space Shuttle payload materials. In 1988, he joined NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center as a Materials Engineer and was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1990, flying on four space shuttle missions: STS-65 (1994), STS-70 (1995), STS-83 (1997), and STS-94 (1997).

During his missions, Dr. Thomas contributed to microgravity research, material science, and satellite deployment, including the deployment of the final Tracking and Data Relay Satellite on STS-70. He also served as CAPCOM for several space shuttle missions, Director of Operations at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia, and Program Scientist for the International Space Station. He retired from NASA in 2007 to explore private ventures.

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