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Astronaut Appearance

Meet Astronaut Jan Davis

Universe Theater

SatSaturdayJanuary 17
SunSundayJanuary 18
MonMondayJanuary 19
TueTuesdayJanuary 20
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Headshot of astronaut Jan Davis in blue flight suit holding a model space shuttle in front of the U.S. flag
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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.

Headshot of astronaut Jan Davis in blue flight suit holding a model space shuttle in front of the U.S. flag

Nancy “Jan” Davis

  • Mission Specialist, space shuttle Endeavor (STS-47)

  • Mission Specialist, space shuttle Discovery (STS-60)

  • Payload Commander, space shuttle Discovery (STS-85)

Dr. Jan Davis played a key role in verifying the Hubble Space Telescope’s design and had a distinguished career as a three-time spaceflight veteran.

Dr. Davis began her career at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center as an aerospace engineer, leading the structural analysis team for the Hubble Space Telescope and working on the redesign of the space shuttle’s solid rocket booster external tank attach ring.

Selected as an astronaut in June 1987, Dr. Davis initially provided technical support for Shuttle payloads and served as a CAPCOM in Mission Control for seven missions. She flew as a mission specialist on STS-47 in 1992 and STS-60 in 1994 and was the payload commander on STS-85 in 1997, logging over 673 hours in space. After her flights, she took on various leadership roles at NASA, such as the Astronaut Office representative for the Remote Manipulator System and Chairperson of the NASA Education Working Group.

Dr. Davis later served as Director of the Human Exploration and Development of Space Independent Assurance Office at NASA Headquarters and held various leadership positions at Marshall Space Flight Center. In 2005, she retired from NASA and joined Jacobs Sverdrup Engineering, where she continues her work on NASA projects. She holds one patent and has authored several technical papers.

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