In September 2014, NASA astronaut and MABE alumnus Barry Wilmore launched to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur […]

TULLAHOMA – Tennessee native and University of Tennessee graduate, NASA Astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore spent more than five months aboard […]

When Barry Wilmore returned to Earth on March 11, it took the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, out of space for the first time in six months. That absence won’t last long, though. Scott Kelly—who, like Wilmore, is a graduate of UT’s Space Institute—will begin a one-year mission in space later this week, giving UT an impressive span of being represented almost 18 consecutive months in space.

Before UT alumnus and NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore turned over the command of the International Space Station in preparation for his return to Earth, he issued a good-bye message that included some love for UT.

In an e-mail to the College of Engineering, Wilmore thanked everyone for supporting him during his time in space.

UT alumnus and NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore is commanding the latest crew to launch to the International Space Station. […]

Nine astronauts, including the current commander of the International Space Station, are graduates of the University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma. Three notable astronauts studied at UTSI, but did not receive their degrees there and one notable astronaut graduated for the UT College of Medicine.

UT alumnus and NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore will command the next crew to launch to the International Space Station.

Wilmore graduated with a master’s degree in aviation systems in 1994 from the UT Space Institute.