Michael Coats received his B.S. degree from the Naval Academy in 1968 and went on to earn his pilot’s wings the very next year. He flew 315 combat missions in Southeast Asia from the USS Kitty Hawk from 1970 to 1972. Following test pilot training in 1974, he was project officer and test pilot for A-7 aircraft until selection as a flight instructor at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1976.
He was selected as an astronaut in 1978 and piloted STS 41D in 1984, the maiden flight of Discovery. He went on to command STS-29 and STS-39. Between 1991 and 2005, Coats worked for Loral Space Information Systems, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space and Lockheed Martin Space Systems.
Mr. Coats was the Director of the Johnson Space Center from 2005 until 2012. Under his leadership, JSC implemented over 80 partnerships and hosted summits and job fairs to help displaced workers. To help NASA attract and retain future leaders, Coats instituted the Program Project Management Development, the Space Systems Engineering Development, and the Project Leadership programs. He was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2007.
Michael is now the proud full time “Pops” to three adorable and perfect granddaughters.
