Joseph Acaba is an American astronaut born on May 17, 1967, in Inglewood, California. Over three spaceflights to the International Space Station (ISS), he has spent 306 days in space. Acaba is also part of the Artemis team of astronauts who are eligible to fly to the Moon in the mid-2020s. Acaba has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in geology. Before being selected by NASA in 2004 as part of a class of 11 astronaut candidates, he served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic and taught science and mathematics in Florida schools.

What is an astronaut, and what does Joseph Acaba do as one?

An astronaut is a highly trained individual who travels into space, whether from civilian or military life. They must have a college degree in engineering, life science, physical science, or mathematics and complete intense training programs to become designated NASA career astronauts. Once assigned to a mission, astronauts train for months, using simulators to prepare for spaceflight activities and emergencies. Joseph Acaba is an American astronaut who has spent 306 days in space over three missions to the International Space Station (ISS). During his time on the ISS, Acaba conducted scientific research and maintained the station while living in a microgravity environment. On one mission, he also participated in a special "Year of Education" on the ISS, performing demonstrations and speaking with students. In 2023, Acaba became chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office.

What is Joseph Acaba known for in his career at NASA?

Joseph Acaba is an American astronaut notable for his multiple missions to the International Space Station (ISS) . Over three spaceflights, he has spent 306 days in space. His first mission was the STS-119, where he performed two spacewalks related to the station's construction. Later, Acaba flew long-duration flights to the ISS in 2012 and 2017, contributing to experiments and educational outreach, including the "Year of Education" program. In 2023, Acaba became chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office. He is also part of the Artemis team, making him eligible for potential lunar missions.

On which space missions has Joseph Acaba traveled?

Joseph Acaba has traveled on three space missions to the International Space Station (ISS) . STS-119: Launched on the space shuttle Discovery to the ISS on March 15, 2009, as part of the station’s final construction phase. During this mission, Acaba performed two spacewalks. Soyuz TMA-04M: Launched to the ISS on May 15, 2012, for a 124-day stay in orbit. Soyuz MS-06: Launched to the ISS on September 12, 2017. During this mission, Acaba spent 168 days in orbit and made one spacewalk to replace cameras on the station exterior. His flight also marked the beginning of a special "Year of Education" on the ISS.

How did Joseph Acaba become an astronaut, and what did he do before joining NASA?

Joseph Acaba's path to becoming a NASA astronaut involved a strong educational background and diverse experiences. He earned a bachelor's and master's degree in geology before working as a hydrogeologist and serving in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic as an environmental education awareness promoter. Prior to his selection by NASA in 2004, Acaba taught science and mathematics in Florida schools. He was chosen as one of three "educator astronauts" in his NASA class of 11, combining his passion for teaching with his astronaut duties. His first spaceflight was in 2009 on the STS-119 mission to the ISS .

How has Joseph Acaba inspired people through his work as an astronaut and educator?

Joseph Acaba has inspired many through his work as an astronaut and educator. Before becoming an astronaut, he taught science and mathematics in Florida schools. As one of NASA's "educator astronauts," Acaba combined space missions with educational outreach, notably during the "Year of Education" on the ISS, where he and Richard Arnold performed demonstrations and spoke with students. His career, including service in the Peace Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, along with his selection for the Artemis program, highlights his dedication to service and education.

Joseph Acaba

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Joseph Acaba on the International Space Station

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In full:: Joseph Michael Acaba

Born:: May 17, 1967, Inglewood, California, U.S. (age 59)

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Joseph Acaba

American astronaut

Also known as: Joseph Michael Acaba

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Erik Gregersen

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Top Questions

Who is Joseph Acaba?
Joseph Acaba is an American astronaut born on May 17, 1967, in Inglewood, California. Over three spaceflights to the International Space Station (ISS), he has spent 306 days in space. Acaba is also part of the Artemis team of astronauts who are eligible to fly to the Moon in the mid-2020s.

Acaba has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in geology. Before being selected by NASA in 2004 as part of a class of 11 astronaut candidates, he served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic and taught science and mathematics in Florida schools.
1 Britannica Source
1. Joseph Acaba
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What is an astronaut, and what does Joseph Acaba do as one?
An astronaut is a highly trained individual who travels into space, whether from civilian or military life. They must have a college degree in engineering, life science, physical science, or mathematics and complete intense training programs to become designated NASA career astronauts. Once assigned to a mission, astronauts train for months, using simulators to prepare for spaceflight activities and emergencies.

Joseph Acaba is an American astronaut who has spent 306 days in space over three missions to the International Space Station (ISS). During his time on the ISS, Acaba conducted scientific research and maintained the station while living in a microgravity environment. On one mission, he also participated in a special "Year of Education" on the ISS, performing demonstrations and speaking with students. In 2023, Acaba became chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office.
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Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What is Joseph Acaba known for in his career at NASA?
Joseph Acaba is an American astronaut notable for his multiple missions to the International Space Station (ISS). Over three spaceflights, he has spent 306 days in space. His first mission was the STS-119, where he performed two spacewalks related to the station's construction. Later, Acaba flew long-duration flights to the ISS in 2012 and 2017, contributing to experiments and educational outreach, including the "Year of Education" program. In 2023, Acaba became chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office. He is also part of the Artemis team, making him eligible for potential lunar missions.
1 Britannica Source
1. Joseph Acaba
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
On which space missions has Joseph Acaba traveled?
Joseph Acaba has traveled on three space missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
- STS-119: Launched on the space shuttle Discovery to the ISS on March 15, 2009, as part of the station’s final construction phase. During this mission, Acaba performed two spacewalks.
- Soyuz TMA-04M: Launched to the ISS on May 15, 2012, for a 124-day stay in orbit.
- Soyuz MS-06: Launched to the ISS on September 12, 2017. During this mission, Acaba spent 168 days in orbit and made one spacewalk to replace cameras on the station exterior. His flight also marked the beginning of a special "Year of Education" on the ISS.
1 Britannica Source
1. Joseph Acaba
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Joseph Acaba become an astronaut, and what did he do before joining NASA?
Joseph Acaba's path to becoming a NASA astronaut involved a strong educational background and diverse experiences. He earned a bachelor's and master's degree in geology before working as a hydrogeologist and serving in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic as an environmental education awareness promoter.

Prior to his selection by NASA in 2004, Acaba taught science and mathematics in Florida schools. He was chosen as one of three "educator astronauts" in his NASA class of 11, combining his passion for teaching with his astronaut duties. His first spaceflight was in 2009 on the STS-119 mission to the ISS.
1 Britannica Source
1. Joseph Acaba
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How has Joseph Acaba inspired people through his work as an astronaut and educator?
Joseph Acaba has inspired many through his work as an astronaut and educator. Before becoming an astronaut, he taught science and mathematics in Florida schools. As one of NASA's "educator astronauts," Acaba combined space missions with educational outreach, notably during the "Year of Education" on the ISS, where he and Richard Arnold performed demonstrations and spoke with students. His career, including service in the Peace Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, along with his selection for the Artemis program, highlights his dedication to service and education.
1 Britannica Source
1. Joseph Acaba
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Joseph Acaba (born May 17, 1967, Inglewood, California, U.S.) is an American astronaut who, over three spaceflights to the International Space Station (ISS), has spent 306 days in space. He is part of the Artemis team of astronauts who are eligible to fly to the Moon in the mid-2020s.

Timeline of Joseph Acaba’s life

1967: Born in Inglewood, California (May 17)
1990: Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of California at Santa Barbara
1992: Graduated with a master’s degree in geology from the University of Arizona
1994–96: Served with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic
1999–2004: Taught science and mathematics in Florida schools
2004: Was selected as an astronaut by NASA
2009: Served on the STS-119 mission to the ISS (March 15–28); made two space walks
2012: Served on the Soyuz TMA-04M mission to the ISS (May 15–September 17)
2015: Received a master’s degree in education from Texas Tech University
2017–18: Served on the Soyuz MS-06 mission to the ISS (September 12, 2017–February 28, 2018)
2020: Was selected as an Artemis program astronaut
2023: Became chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office

Acaba received a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1990 and a master’s in the same subject from the University of Arizona in 1992. He worked in Los Angeles as a hydrogeologist on the cleanup of Superfund sites. He then served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic from 1994 to 1996 as an environmental education awareness promoter. He was manager at the Caribbean Marine Research Center on Lee Stocking Island in The Bahamas. He also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

In Florida Acaba taught science at Melbourne High School from 1999 to 2000 and mathematics and science at Dunnellon Middle School from 2000 to 2004. He was selected by NASA in 2004 as part of a class of 11 astronaut candidates. In that group, Acaba was one of three “educator astronauts”—teachers who meet all the qualifications to be an astronaut and have educational outreach as part of their responsibilities.

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Acaba’s first spaceflight was the STS-119 mission on board the space shuttle Discovery, which launched to the ISS on March 15, 2009. He performed two space walks, moving equipment as part of the station’s final stages of construction. STS-119 spent more than 12 days in orbit and returned to Earth on March 28.

Acaba’s next two flights to the station were long-duration flights. He launched to the ISS on Soyuz TMA-04M on May 15, 2012, and spent 124 days in orbit. He received a master’s degree in education from Texas Tech University in 2015. Acaba returned to the ISS on Soyuz MS-06 on September 12, 2017. He made one space walk, replacing cameras on the station exterior. Acaba’s flight also marked the beginning of a special “Year of Education” on the ISS, in which he and educator astronaut Richard Arnold (who flew to the ISS after Acaba’s return) performed demonstrations and spoke with students. Acaba spent a further 168 days in orbit.

Acaba was chosen in 2020 for the team of 18 astronauts eligible to fly in the Artemis program, which is to return American astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972. On the Artemis IV mission, scheduled for 2028, two astronauts are to land on the lunar surface. Those astronauts, whom NASA has said will be the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, are to spend almost a week in the Moon’s south polar region. Acaba became chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA in 2023.

Erik Gregersen

Joseph Acaba

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