Astronaut Megan McArthur, Last to Touch the Hubble Telescope, Retires from NASA

Pioneering Astronaut Megan McArthur Concludes Illustrious 20-Year Career

September 1, 2025

Washington D.C. – Veteran Nasa astronaut Megan McArthur has announced her retirement, bringing to a close a remarkable 20-year career dedicated to space exploration. McArthur’s accomplishments include logging 213 days in space and reaching several milestones in human spaceflight.

Notably,mcarthur distinguished herself as the first Woman to pilot a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft,a significant leap in commercial space travel.Her contributions extended to being the last individual to physically interact with the Hubble Space Telescope outside of Earth, utilizing the Space Shuttle’s robotic arm.

A Legacy Built on Hubble

McArthur’s journey into space began in 2009 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist on the STS-125 mission. This critical mission aimed to perform the fifth and final servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope. She was instrumental in capturing the telescope with the robotic arm and oversaw five complex spacewalks to repair and upgrade the iconic observatory.

Her precise maneuvering of the robotic arm ensured the Hubble telescope could continue its groundbreaking observations of the universe. According to Nasa’s official Hubble website, the telescope has provided unprecedented views of the cosmos for over three decades.

From Oceanography to Outer Space

Born in Honolulu and raised as a “Navy kid,” McArthur’s background is as diverse as the environments she has explored. She holds degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Oceanography, reflecting a deep curiosity about both the vastness of space and the depths of the ocean. Before joining Nasa in 2000, McArthur dedicated herself to oceanographic research, focusing on underwater acoustics through shipboard expeditions and scuba diving.

Championing Space Literacy

From 2022 until her retirement, McArthur served as Chief Science Officer at Space Center Houston, Nasa’s official visitor center.In this role, she focused on enhancing public understanding and appreciation of space exploration and its benefits for humanity. Her dedication to science dialog aimed to inspire a new generation of explorers and innovators.

A Partnership in Space

McArthur’s personal life is equally remarkable. She is married to fellow Nasa astronaut Robert Behnken, who played a pivotal role in the 2020 SpaceX Demo-2 mission, ushering in a new era of crewed commercial spaceflight. The Behnken-McArthur partnership represents a powerful synergy of expertise and dedication within the space program.

Hear’s a summary of McArthur’s key achievements:

milestone	Year
First Spaceflight (STS-125)	2009
First Woman to Pilot a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft	2021
Last to touch the Hubble space Telescope (externally)	2009
chief Science Officer, Space center Houston	2022-2025

Did You Know? the Hubble Space Telescope has captured images of galaxies billions of light-years away, providing invaluable data for astronomers worldwide.

Pro Tip: To learn more about current and future NASA missions, visit Nasa’s official website.

The Future of Space Exploration

McArthur’s retirement arrives at a pivotal moment in space exploration, with renewed interest in lunar missions and ambitious plans for crewed expeditions to Mars. Her legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of astronauts and scientists. The ongoing growth of commercial spaceflight initiatives, spearheaded by companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, are poised to transform access to space.

The convergence of public and private sector innovation is creating unprecedented opportunities for scientific discovery and technological advancement. As we look towards the future, the contributions of pioneers like Megan McArthur will continue to shape our understanding of the universe and our place within it.

Frequently Asked Questions about Megan McArthur

• What was Megan McArthur’s role on the STS-125 mission? She was a mission specialist responsible for capturing the Hubble Space Telescope with the robotic arm and supporting spacewalks.
• What is significant about Megan McArthur piloting the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft? She was the first woman to achieve this, marking a milestone in commercial spaceflight.
• What did Megan McArthur do at Space center Houston? She served as Chief Science Officer, focusing on public engagement and science literacy.
• What is the lasting impact of Megan McArthur’s work on the Hubble Space Telescope? Her work ensured the continued operation and scientific contributions of the Hubble Space Telescope for years to come.
• What is Megan McArthur’s educational background? She holds degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Oceanography.
• Who is Megan McArthur married to? She is married to fellow Nasa astronaut Robert Behnken.
• How many days did Megan McArthur spend in space? She logged 213 days in space during her career.

What aspects of Megan McArthur’s career do you find most inspiring? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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What specific skills and experiences did Megan McArthur bring to the STS-125 mission that were crucial for the success of Hubble’s final servicing?

A Legacy of Space Exploration and Hubble Servicing

After a distinguished 20-year career with NASA, astronaut Megan McArthur is retiring, marking the end of an era for the agency and particularly for the Hubble Space Telescope program.McArthur holds the unique distinction of being the last astronaut to physically work on the iconic observatory during its final servicing mission in 2009. Her departure represents a notable transition as NASA focuses on new frontiers in space exploration, including the Artemis program and commercial space ventures. This article details her career, her pivotal role in Hubble’s longevity, and the impact of her retirement on future space missions.

Early Life and Career Path to NASA

Megan McArthur, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, always possessed a passion for science and exploration. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from UCLA and a ph.D. in Physics from Caltech. Before joining NASA, McArthur worked as a control systems engineer at Lockheed Martin, contributing to the development of spacecraft systems.

Education: UCLA (B.S. Aerospace Engineering), Caltech (Ph.D. Physics)

Early Career: Control Systems Engineer, Lockheed Martin

NASA Selection: Selected as a NASA astronaut candidate in 2000.

Her technical background and dedication made her a prime candidate for the astronaut corps, where she excelled in rigorous training programs.

The STS-125 Mission: Hubble’s Final Service Call

McArthur’s most celebrated achievement is undoubtedly her role as a mission specialist on STS-125, the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope in May 2009. This complex and challenging mission was crucial for extending Hubble’s operational life and ensuring its continued scientific contributions.

Key Tasks During STS-125

The STS-125 mission involved five spacewalks, and McArthur played a vital role in supporting these extravehicular activities (EVAs). her responsibilities included:

1. Tool Organization & Support: Preparing and organizing tools for spacewalking astronauts.
2. Robotics Support: Assisting with the operation of the Space Shuttle’s robotic arm, used to maneuver equipment and astronauts.
3. Systems Monitoring: Monitoring critical spacecraft systems during the complex servicing procedures.
4. Final Touch: McArthur was the last astronaut to physically touch the Hubble Space Telescope, completing the final connections and checks before the shuttle departed.

The mission successfully installed two new instruments – the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) – and repaired existing ones, significantly enhancing Hubble’s capabilities. The success of STS-125 is a testament to the skill and dedication of the entire crew, with McArthur playing a critical supporting role.

Beyond Hubble: Continued Contributions to NASA

While best known for her work on Hubble, McArthur’s contributions to NASA extend far beyond that single mission.

STS-118 (2007): Her first spaceflight was aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-118, delivering the European Space Agency’s Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station (ISS).

Expedition 65 (2021): She served as a flight engineer on the ISS during Expedition 65, conducting scientific research and maintaining the station’s systems. This six-month mission involved a wide range of experiments in areas like human physiology, materials science, and Earth observation.

Robotics expertise: Throughout her career, McArthur consistently demonstrated expertise in robotics, a crucial skill for both space station operations and future lunar missions.

Impact of McArthur’s Retirement on Future Missions

Megan McArthur’s retirement comes at a pivotal moment for NASA. The agency is transitioning towards a new era of space exploration, focusing on lunar missions with the Artemis program and preparing for eventual human missions to Mars.

Loss of Institutional Knowledge: Her departure represents a loss of valuable institutional knowledge regarding Hubble servicing and complex space operations.

shift in Expertise: NASA is increasingly relying on commercial partners for space transportation and logistics. McArthur’s experience highlights the importance of maintaining a strong core of experienced NASA astronauts to oversee these partnerships and ensure mission success.

* Inspiring Future Generations: McArthur’s career serves as an inspiration to aspiring scientists, engineers, and astronauts, particularly women in STEM fields. Her dedication and accomplishments demonstrate the possibilities that exist within space exploration.

Hubble’s Legacy and Future of Space-based Observatories

The Hubble Space Telescope, thanks to missions like STS-125 and the dedication of astronauts like Megan McArthur, has revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Its stunning images and groundbreaking discoveries have captivated the public and inspired generations