Benken, Robert

Born on July 28, 1970 in Creve Coeur , Missouri , but considers St. Ann in the same state to be his native city.

• 1988 - graduated from high school (Pattonville High School) in Maryland Heights (Maryland Heights) in Missouri.
• 1992 - received a bachelor 's degree (physics and mechanical engineering) at the University of Washington .
• 1993 - received a master 's degree (mechanical engineering) at the California Institute of Technology .
• 1997 - received a doctorate (mechanical engineering) at the same institute.

His graduate school was devoted to the study of nonlinear regulators. The theme of his dissertation was the use of nonlinear controllers to stabilize the speed of compressor motors with an asymmetric flow. Work included software and hardware development. While studying at graduate school, he developed and implemented software and hardware for monitoring and controlling automated manipulators.

• He completed a Reserve Officiers' Training Corps (ROTC) training program at Washington University in St. Louis (Vashington University in St. Louise).
• Since 1997, he served at the Eglin AFB Air Force Base in Florida as CTO and development engineer for new ammunition systems.
• In 1998, he graduated from the Air Forse Test Pilot School at the Edvards AFB air base in California (as a test engineer).

After graduation, he continued to serve at Edwards Air Base, where he participated in mixed tests of the F-22 multipurpose fighter . He was appointed chief test engineer of the F-22 Raptor fighter No. 4004. His responsibilities included flight planning, conducting test flights and developing requirements for the dispatch service. Performing flights on F-15 and F-16 according to the flight test program F-22 .

• 2000 - captain of the Air Force.
• 2006 - Major of the Air Force.
• 2009 - lieutenant colonel of the Air Force.

• 2000 - July 26 was selected as a candidate for astronaut, NASA's 18th set (for training as a flight specialist). He completed a general space training course (OKP). After graduating, he received the qualification of a flight specialist and was assigned to the Astronaut Office Station Operations Branch to the station control department.

• 2007 - January 29, was officially appointed a flight specialist for the shuttle crew Endeavor STS-123, whose flight was scheduled for December 2007. During this mission, it was planned to deliver the Japanese Kibo module to the International Space Station .

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• STS-123 - Endeavor (shuttle) March 11-27, 2008, as a flight specialist-1. He made three spacewalks on March 18, 20 and 22, lasting 6 hours 54 minutes, 6 hours 24 minutes and 6 hours 2 minutes. The duration of the shuttle flight was 15 days 18 hours 10 minutes 52 seconds.
• STS-130 - Endeavor (shuttle) February 8-22, 2010, also as a flight specialist. Again made three spacewalks on February 12, 14 and 17, lasting 6 hours 32 minutes, 5 hours 54 minutes and 5 hours 48 minutes. The duration of the shuttle flight was 13 days 18 hours 6 minutes 22 seconds.

The total duration of two flights is 29 days 12 hours 17 minutes.

• 1992 - graduated from the University of Washington.
• 1993 - 1996 - received a diploma from the National Science Foundation .
• 1997 - Air Force Ammunition Research Laboratory.
• 1997 - Air Force Achievement Medal.
• 1998 - Medal "For Success" (USAF Commendation Medal).
• 1999 - graduated with honors from the US Air Force Test Pilot School.
• 2000 - Medal "For Success" (USAF Commendation Medal).
• Award - “Colonel Ray Jones School Award for Best US Air Force Test Pilot” in the 98B class.

• Father - lives in St. Ann.
• Sister - lives in Hazelwood, Missouri.
• Wife - NASA Astronaut Katherine MacArthur

Hobbies - climbing, hiking and skiing.

• List of US astronauts - participants in orbiting space flights .
• List of astronauts and astronauts (and candidates) .

• NASA Official Website