NASA Astronaut Jack Hathaway

Jack Hathaway, Commander, U.S. Navy

Summary

Jack Hathaway was selected by NASA to join the 2021 Astronaut Candidate Class. He reports for duty in January 2022. The Connecticut native earned bachelors’ degrees in physics and history from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, and completed graduate studies at Cranfield University, England, and the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. A distinguished naval aviator, Hathaway flew and deployed with VFA-14 aboard the USS Nimitz and VFA-136 aboard the USS Truman, graduated from Empire Test Pilots’ School, supported the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, and was most recently assigned as the prospective executive officer for Strike Fighter Squadron 81. He has over 2,500 flight hours in 30 types of aircraft, more than 500 carrier arrested landings, and flew 39 combat missions.

Personal

Hathaway was born and raised in South Windsor, Connecticut. His parents are Donna and Jeff Hathaway of South Windsor. He is married to Amy Hathaway, and they have two children.

Education

Graduated South Windsor High School in 2000. Earned a bachelor’s in physics and history from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2004. Earned a master’s of science in flight dynamics from Cranfield University in 2014. Earned a master’s in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Hathaway also graduated from Empire Test Pilot’s School in 2011, part of Fixed Wing Class 70.

Experience

Hathaway attended the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned into the Navy in 2004 upon graduation. He completed flight school and was designated a naval aviator in 2006, and was assigned to Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, for transition to the F/A-18E. He completed an operational tour with Strike Fighter Squadron 14, deploying aboard the USS Nimitz in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and other western Pacific exercises and events.

In 2010, he was selected to attend Empire Test Pilots’ School at Ministry of Defence Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, England, where he also completed a master’s in flight dynamics at Cranfield University. He was designated a developmental test pilot in 2010 and was assigned as the F/A-18 department in Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two-Three at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. There, he served as the F/A-18 air vehicle and propulsion project officer for a variety of flight test programs.

In 2015, Hathaway was selected to attend the U.S. Naval War College, where he graduated with a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies. He returned to operational flying with Strike Fighter Squadron 136, deploying aboard the USS Truman in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, and other Mediterranean and North Atlantic exercises and events.

In 2019, Hathaway was assigned to the J-6 department of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, where he served as a subject matter expert on tactical datalink policy and acquisition efforts. While on staff, he was selected to command Strike Fighter Squadron Eight One. At the time of his selection as a NASA astronaut candidate, Hathaway was at sea aboard the USS Truman, serving as the VFA-81’s Prospective Executive Officer. He has accumulated over 2500 flight hours in 30 aircraft types, more than 500 carrier arrested landings, and 39 combat missions.

NASA Experience

Hathaway was selected as a NASA astronaut candidate in December 2021 and reported for duty in January 2022 to complete two years of initial astronaut training.

Awards/Honors

Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal; Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards); 2013 VX-23 Test Pilot of the Year; Eagle Scout, Troop 186 in South Windsor, Connecticut.

Organizations

U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, National Eagle Scout Association, Society of Experimental Test Pilots.