Kenneth S. Reightler Jr. | |
---|---|
NASA Astronaut | |
Nationality | American |
Status | Retired |
Born | Kenneth Stanley Reightler Jr. March 24, 1951 Patuxent River, Maryland, U.S. |
Other occupation
|
Naval aviator, test pilot |
USNA, B.S. 1973 NPS, M.S. 1984 USC, M.S. 1984 |
|
Rank | Captain, USN |
Time in space
|
13d 15h 36m |
Selection | 1987 NASA Group 12 |
Missions | STS-48, STS-60 |
Mission insignia
|
Kenneth Stanley Reightler Jr. (born March 24, 1951) is a former NASA astronaut.
Reightler was born March 24, 1951, in Patuxent River, Maryland, but considers Virginia Beach, Virginia, to be his hometown. Married to the former Maureen Ellen McHenry, a psychotherapist; they have two daughters. He enjoys sailing, reading, music, hiking, and travel. His father, Mr. Kenneth S. Reightler Sr., resides in Virginia Beach. His mother, Evelyn, is deceased. Maureen's mother, Mrs. Jean W. McHenry and her father, Commander William H. McHenry (USN) are deceased. He graduated from Bayside High School, Virginia Beach, in 1969, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from United States Naval Academy in 1973. He received Master of Science degrees in 1984, in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and in Systems Management from University of Southern California.
Reightler was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1974 at Corpus Christi, Texas. After replacement pilot training in the P-3C airplane, he reported to Patrol Squadron 16 (VP-16) in Jacksonville, Florida, serving as both a mission commander and patrol plane commander. He made deployments to Keflavík, Iceland, and to Sigonella, Sicily. Following jet transition training, Reightler attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland.