Steve Swanson

Steve Swanson is a Professor of the Practice at Boise State University, affiliated with the NASA-connected academic initiatives. A former NASA astronaut since 1998, he served as commander of the International Space Station (ISS) from May to September 2014 and participated in multiple space missions, including Atlantis (2007) and Discovery (2009) shuttle flights with spacewalks. While aboard the ISS, he engaged with Boise State's interdisciplinary 'Space Broncos' team through live downlinks and online collaboration.

Swanson's career bridges space exploration and education, leveraging his operational experience to mentor students in astronautics and STEM fields. He joined Boise State as a Distinguished Educator in Residence, emphasizing hands-on learning and real-world applications of space research. His academic role focuses on integrating space science with educational outreach, reflecting Boise State's expanding NASA partnerships.

Notably, Swanson's missions contributed to ISS operations and covered millions of miles in orbital missions, while his academic contributions aim to inspire future generations in aerospace disciplines. No specific grants or awards are detailed in the provided texts, though his professional achievements are tied to NASA's operational milestones.