Brent W. Jett Jr.

{{short description|American astronaut, aviator and engineer (born 1958)}}

{{Infobox astronaut

|name = Brent Jett

|image = Brent Jett.jpg

|birth_name = Brent Ward Jett Jr.

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|10|5}}

|birth_place = Pontiac, Michigan, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|education = United States Naval Academy (BS)
Naval Postgraduate School (MS)

|awards = Distinguished Flying Cross

|type = NASA astronaut

|rank = Captain, USN

|time = 41d 18h 1m

|selection = NASA Group 14 (1992)

|missions = STS-72
STS-81
STS-97
STS-115

|insignia = 40px 40px 40px 40px

|retirement = January 2013

}}

Brent Ward Jett Jr. (born October 5, 1958),{{cite news |last1=Cabbage |first1=Michael |title=Making of an astronaut |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99593674/making-of-an-astronaut/ |access-date=12 April 2022 |work=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |date=28 December 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412125108/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99593674/making-of-an-astronaut/ |archive-date=12 April 2022 |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }} (Capt, USN, Ret.), is a retired American naval officer and aviator, test pilot, aerospace and aeronautical engineer, and NASA astronaut.{{cite web |title=Brent W. Jett, Jr. (Captain, USN, ret.) |url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/jett_brent.pdf |website=Biographical Data |publisher=Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508122106/https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/jett_brent.pdf |archive-date=8 May 2021 |date=January 2013 |url-status=live}}

Personal life

File:STS-72 astronaut Brent Jett greeted by wife.jpg

Jett was born in Pontiac, Michigan, but considers Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to be his hometown. Married to Connie Jett of Atlanta, Georgia. His hobbies are water and snow skiing, board sailing, boating, running, basketball, and squash.{{cite web |title=Astronaut Biography: Brent Jett |url=http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/jett_brent.htm |website=SPACEFACTS |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412130543/http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/jett_brent.htm |archive-date=12 April 2022 |date=25 August 2018 |url-status=live}}

Education

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1981.

He received a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1989.{{cite web |title=Brent W. Jett |url=https://www.usna.edu/NotableGraduates/astronauts/1981jett.php |website=Notable graduates |publisher=U.S. Naval Academy |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510002529/https://www.usna.edu/NotableGraduates/astronauts/1981jett.php |archive-date=10 May 2016 |url-status=live}}

Naval service

Jett was designated a Naval Aviator in March 1983, and reported to VF-101 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia for initial F-14 Tomcat training. Upon completion of this training, he was assigned to VF-74 and made overseas deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean aboard the aircraft carrier {{USS|Saratoga|CV-60|6}}. While assigned to VF-74, he was designated as an airwing qualified Landing Signal Officer (LSO) and also attended the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).

Jett was selected for the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School – Test Pilot School Cooperative Education Program in July 1986, and completed 15 months of graduate work at Monterey, California, before attending the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in June 1989. After graduation in June 1990, he worked as a project test pilot at the Carrier Suitability Department of the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate, Naval Air Test Center, flying the F-14A/B/D, T-45A, and A-7E. Jett returned to the operational Navy in September 1991 and was again assigned to VF-74, flying the F-14B aboard USS Saratoga.

He has logged over 5,000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft and has over 450 carrier landings.

NASA career

Selected by NASA in March 1992, Jett reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992.{{cite news |title=NASA names 19 new astornaut candidates |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99672546/nasa-names-19-new-astronaut-candidates/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=Abilene Reporter-News |agency=Associated Press |date=1 April 1992 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413174058/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99672546/nasa-names-19-new-astronaut-candidates/ |archive-date=13 April 2022 |location=Houston, Texas |page=3 |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }} After two years of various technical assignments in the Astronaut Office, Jett was assigned to his first mission as the pilot of STS-72. A year later he again served as pilot on STS-81. From June 1997{{cite news |title=U.S. astronauts training in Russia get new chief |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99672836/us-astronauts-training-in-russia-get/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=Florida Today |date=6 July 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413174603/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99672836/us-astronauts-training-in-russia-get/ |archive-date=13 April 2022 |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com |page=47 }} to February 1998, he served as NASA Director of Operations at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City, Russia.{{cite news |last1=Cabbage |first1=Michael |title=Space station flight a Jett-driven endeavour |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99673212/space-station-flight-a-jett-driven-endea/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=5 August 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413175154/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99673212/space-station-flight-a-jett-driven/ |archive-date=13 April 2022 |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }} Two years later he was the commander on STS-97. Finally, he served as the commander of Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-115. A veteran of four space missions, he has traveled over 12.1 million miles, and logged a total of 41 days, 18 hours, and 1 minute in space. Jett retired from the U.S. Navy in July 2007, but remained with NASA. In November 2007, he was appointed as Director of Flight Crew Operations. From November 2007 to February 2011, he was Director of Flight Crew Operations at JSC. From March 2010 to January 2013, Jett was the Deputy Manager for the NASA Commercial Crew Program. He retired from NASA in January 2013.{{cite web |title=Release J13-003: NASA Astronaut Brent Jett Leaves Agency |url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/releases/2013/J13-003.html |website=Press Releases |publisher=Johnson Space Center |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413180224/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/news/releases/2013/J13-003.html |archive-date=13 April 2022 |date=4 February 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Dean |first1=James |title=Chief |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99673548/chief/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=Florida Today |date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413175951/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99673548/chief/ |archive-date=13 April 2022 |page=B2 |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }}

=Spaceflight experience=

==STS-72==

Space Shuttle Endeavour, piloted by Jett, launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B, January 11, 1996, 09:41 UTC.{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Michael E. |title=Parents beam as South Florida astronauts head to space |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99603036/parents-beam-as-south-florida/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=January 12, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412155909/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99603036/parents-beam-as-south-florida/ |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }} During the 9-day mission the crew retrieved the Japanese Space Flyer Unit launched by NASDA March 18, 1995. The crew additionally deployed and retrieved the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology Flyer (OAST-Flyer) and performed two EVAs with the purpose of preparing techniques for assembling the International Space Station. Endavour landed at the Shuttle Landing Facility 20 January 1996, 07:41 UTC.{{cite web |last1=Ryba |first1=Jeanne |title=STS-72 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-72.html |website=Mission Archives |publisher=NASA |access-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212195823/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-72.html |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |date=November 23, 2007 |url-status=live}}

==STS-81==

Space Shuttle Atlantis, piloted by Jett, lifted off from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B January 12, 1997, 09:27 UTC{{cite news |last1=Cabbage |first1=Michael |title=A Broward astronaut in space |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99603429/a-broward-astronaut-in-space/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |work=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=January 13, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412160532/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99603429/a-broward-astronaut-in-space/ |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }} The 10 day mission marked Jett's second space flight. The mission was the fifth in a series of joint missions between the U.S. Space Shuttle and the Russian Space Station Mir and the second one involving an exchange of U.S. astronauts. In five days of docked operations more than three tons of food, water, experiment equipment and samples were moved back and forth between the two spacecraft. Atlantis touched down at the Space Shuttle Landing Facility, January 22, 1997, 14:23 UTC.{{cite web |last1=Ryba |first1=Jeanne |title=STS-81 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-81.html |website=Mission Archives |publisher=NASA |access-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225053421/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-81.html |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |date=November 23, 2007 |url-status=live}}

==STS-97==

Space Shuttle Endeavour launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B, 1 December 2000, 03:06 UTC{{cite web |last1=Ryba |first1=Jeanne |title=STS-97 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-97.html |website=Mission Archives |publisher=NASA |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413164707/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-97.html |archive-date=13 April 2022 |date=15 February 2010 |url-status=live}} STS-97 was Jett's third mission to space and first time in command.{{cite news |last1=Siceloff |first1=Steven |title=Endeavour set to dock with station |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99668961/endeavour-set-to-dock-with-station/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=Florida Today |date=2 December 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413164338/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99668961/endeavour-set-to-dock-with-station/ |archive-date=13 April 2022 |page=1 |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }} The primary objective of the mission was to deliver and install a 17 ton solar array to the International Space Station, in addition to batteries, radiators to provide cooling and a communications system for voice and telemetry. Assembly operations were conducted during 3 EVAs. Endeavour touched down at the Shuttle Landing Facility, 11 December 2000, 23:04 UTC

==STS-115==

Jett's fourth and final space mission commenced as Space Shuttle Atlantis launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B, 9 September 2006, 15:15 UTC.{{cite news |last1=Schneider |first1=Mike |title=Atlantis blasts off |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99670192/atlantis-blasts-off/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=Lincoln Journal Star |agency=The Associated Press |date=10 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413170243/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99670192/atlantis-blasts-off/ |archive-date=13 April 2022 |location=Lincoln, Nebraska |page=3 |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com }} STS-115 was the first assembly mission to the International Space Station after the Columbia disaster.{{cite web |title=STS-115 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts115/main/index.html |website=Mission Archives |publisher=NASA |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403205134/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts115/main/index.html |archive-date=3 April 2022 |date=2 April 2008 |url-status=live}} The primary objective of the mission was to deliver and install the P3/P4 truss structure and solar array to the International Space Station during 3 EVAs. The mission concluded with the landing of Atlantis at the Shuttle Landing Facility, 21 September 2006, 10:21 UTC.{{cite web |last1=Wade |first1=Mark |title=Jett, Brent Ward Jr. |url=http://www.astronautix.com/j/jett.html |website=Astronautix |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324054422/http://www.astronautix.com/j/jett.html |archive-date=24 March 2022 |url-status=dead}}

Organizations

Special honors

Graduated first of 976 in the Class of 1981 at U.S. Naval Academy
Distinguished Graduate U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Class 95
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal and Defense Meritorious Service Medals
Awarded the Navy Commendation Medal
Awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal
Awarded 4 NASA Space Flight Medals
Awarded the various other service awards
A portion of Northeast 56th Street in Jett's home city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been designated "Brent Jett Boulevard" in his honor.{{cite news |last1=Huriash |first1=Lisa J. |title=Astronaut to get a hero's welcome |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99671288/astronaut-to-get-a-heros-welcome/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |work=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=28 January 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413172221/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99671288/astronaut-to-get-a-heros-welcome/ |archive-date=13 April 2022 |location=Fort Lauderdale |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com |page=20 }}

References

External links

{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/jett_brent.pdf |title= Jett's official NASA biography|publisher=NASA |access-date=April 2, 2021|date=January 2013}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20020127042959/http://www.astronautix.com/astros/jett.htm Astronautix biography of Brent W. Jett Jr.]
[http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/jett_brent.htm Spacefacts biography of Brent W. Jett Jr.]
[http://www.spaceacts.com/STARSHIP/seh/jett.html Jett at Spaceacts]

Category:1958 births

Category:Living people

Category:1996 in spaceflight

Category:1997 in spaceflight

Category:2000 in spaceflight

Category:2006 in spaceflight

Category:American aerospace engineers

Category:United States Navy astronauts

Category:NASA people

Category:People from Pontiac, Michigan

Category:People from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Category:United States Naval Academy alumni