Megan McArthur is a NASA astronaut and oceanographer known for operating the Canadarm2 on the International Space Station and performing spacewalks to service Hubble. Selected in 2000, she flew on SpaceX Crew-2, becoming the first person to launch on a SpaceX rocket and land on a SpaceX recovery ship. With a background in engineering, earth science, and robotics, her work focuses on orbital operations, robotics testing, and scientific research in low Earth orbit.
Career Path and NASA Selection
Before joining NASA, McArthur earned a Bachelor of Science in physics from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master of Science and PhD in oceanography from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her research used underwater imaging to study fluorescence in marine organisms. She worked at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, focusing on deep-sea instrumentation. NASA selected her as part of the 2000 Astronaut Group, completing initial training in 2001. Her early astronaut roles included technical assignments in the Astronaut Office Robotics Branch and Space Station Branch, supporting station assembly and robotics operations.
Spaceflight Missions and Key Flights
STS-125 (Space Shuttle Atlantis)
In May 2010, McArthur launched aboard STS-125, the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. As a mission specialist, she operated the shuttle’s Canadarm to capture, service, and redeploy Hubble instruments. During the mission, she conducted her first spacewalk to install new components, contributing to a series of upgrades that extended Hubble’s scientific capabilities. This flight established her experience in complex robotic and EVA operations in low Earth orbit.
SpaceX Crew-2 (Expedition 65/66)
In April 2021, McArthur served as pilot on SpaceX Crew-2, the second crewed operational flight of the Dragon spacecraft. She launched on a Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center and docked with the Harmony module of the ISS. During a six-month increment, she supported over 200 scientific investigations, maintained vehicle systems, and prepared for visiting vehicles. Notably, she became the first astronaut to launch aboard a SpaceX rocket and land on a SpaceX recovery ship, marking a milestone in commercial crew operations.
Robotics, EVA Experience, and Station Operations
On the ISS, McArthur frequently supported robotics activities, including payload deployments, cargo operations, and technology demonstrations. She operated the Canadarm2 and Japanese Remote Manipulator System, performing berthing and unberthing procedures critical to logistics missions. Her EVA background includes work on Hubble and ISS maintenance, where she practiced tool use, cable routing, and hardware replacement in the vacuum of space. These tasks require precise coordination, procedural rigor, and situational awareness to ensure crew safety and mission success.
Verified Career Milestones at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Date | January 3, 1971 | NASA Biography |
| Selection Year | 2000 (Astronaut Group 18) | NASA Press Release |
| Education | PhD in Oceanography, UC Santa Cruz; BS Physics, UC San Diego | NASA Profile |
| STS-125 Launch | May 11, 2010 (Space Shuttle Atlantis) | NASA Mission Summary |
| STS-125 EVAs | 5 spacewalks | NASA Mission Reports |
| Crew-2 Role | Pilot, Dragon spacecraft | NASA Commercial Crew |
| Crew-2 Launch | April 23, 2021 (Falcon 9) | SpaceX/NASA Launch Logs |
| First SpaceX Launch & Landing | First astronaut to launch on Falcon 9 and land on ASDS | NASA/SpaceX Mission Coverage |
Notable Achievements and Technical Contributions
McArthur’s Hubble EVA work contributed to replacing critical components such as the Wide Field Camera 3 and the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. Her role required detailed plan review, tool tethering, and efficient task sequencing in a constrained workspace. On Crew-2, she managed cargo transfers, system checks, and coordinated with ground teams to maintain science timelines. Her experience across shuttle and commercial crew vehicles offers insight into the evolution of human spaceflight operations, from government-led assembly to sustained commercial presence on the ISS.
Training, Preparation, and On-Orbit Responsibilities
Astronaut candidate training included spacecraft systems, ISS operations, spacewalk protocols, survival training, and Russian language instruction for international crew collaboration. For Hubble EVAs, McArthur practiced in neutral buoyancy pools and partial gravity simulations to refine techniques for handling tools and managing contingencies. On orbit, she balances detailed procedures with real-time problem-solving, adapting to equipment issues, timeline shifts, and scientific priorities. This mix of preparation and adaptability supports mission resilience and scientific productivity.
Public Engagement and STEM Outreach
McArthur has participated in education and outreach, sharing her experiences to inspire students and early-career researchers. She has discussed the role of robotics in exploration, the importance of oceanography for Earth science, and the challenges of long-duration spaceflight. Through interviews, classroom connections, and social platforms, she highlights how technical training, curiosity, and teamwork enable complex missions. Her career reflects the intersection of science and exploration, where analytical skills and operational experience support enduring discoveries.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Megan McArthur best known for? She is known for operating the Canadarm2, performing Hubble servicing EVAs, and flying as pilot on SpaceX Crew-2, the first astronaut to launch and land on SpaceX vehicles.
- How many spacewalks has she completed? She has conducted multiple spacewalks, including five during STS-125 and additional EVAs on the ISS.
- What was her role on the International Space Station? As a flight engineer and robotics operator, she supported science experiments, cargo operations, and vehicle systems.
- What is her educational background? She holds a PhD in oceanography and a Bachelor of Science in physics, with research focused on underwater imaging of marine fluorescence.
- How does her work affect long-term space exploration? Her contributions to robotics, EVA techniques, and commercial crew operations help establish sustainable human presence in low Earth orbit and inform future deep-space missions.
Conclusion
Megan McArthur’s career illustrates the blend of scientific research, technical skill, and operational experience that defines modern astronautics. From Hubble servicing to sustained ISS expeditions and commercial crew milestones, her work continues to support discovery and exploration. As missions evolve, her experience in robotics, EVA, and cross-program operations remains relevant to planning and executing reliable human spaceflight.