--- title: Sandra Magnus slug: sandra-magnus-ccfc3 url: /detay/sandra-magnus-ccfc3 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Sandra Magnus type: biography categories: - name: Aviation And Space slug: havacilik-ve-uzay url: /kategori/havacilik-ve-uzay tags: - career - Sandra Magnus - education - Nasa - space author: Selen Ünal created_at: 2026-07-14T18:18:08.324586+03:00 updated_at: 2026-07-14T18:18:08.324586+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/02/09/SLJylSu6OldsZV8mVwiWawqZEyyCInyv.jpeg --- # Sandra Magnus > Magnus was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1996. After completing her two-year training from January 1997 to May 1998, she was assigned to the Operations/ habitability branch of the Astronaut Office. In this role, she participated in coordination efforts with the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (NASDA) and Brazil. In May 1998, she was assigned to support development and testing of Russian mission hardware. In 2000, she served as CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) at the International Space Station. ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Dr. Sandra Magnus ![sandy-magnus-live-from-space-ftr.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/02/09/3kJsuXkkW2Uu3h9Jspd4xwLpgGnKfMBF.jpeg) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Date of birth | 1964-10-30 | | Place of birth | Belleville, Illinois | | Occupation | Engineer and former NASA astronaut | ## Article Content Magnus first traveled to space in 2002 on the STS-112 mission. During this mission, she was responsible for installing the S1 truss segment on the [International Space Station](/en/detay/international-space-station-iss-c71a9,/llms.txt) (ISS) aboard the [Space Shuttle Atlantis](/en/detay/atlantis-uzay-mekigi-tarihcesi-gorevleri-ve-katkil/llms.txt). In 2008, she spent approximately four [months](/en/detay/ay-2/llms.txt) aboard the ISS as a member of Expedition 18. In 2009, she flew to space again on the STS-119 mission and returned to [Earth](/en/detay/dunya-2/llms.txt) after 134 [days](/en/detay/gun-4/llms.txt). In 2011, she participated in STS-135, the final mission of the Space Shuttle Program. Additionally, she is a licensed amateur [radio](/en/detay/radyo-3/llms.txt) operator with the call sign KE5FYE. In 2012, she left NASA to become the Executive Director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), a position she held until 2018. ### **The Life of Sandra Magnus** [Sandra Hall Magnus](/en/detay/sandra-magnus/llms.txt) was born and raised on 30 [October](/en/detay/ekim-748436/llms.txt) 1964 in Belleville, Illinois, [USA](/en/detay/abd/llms.txt). She began her education at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly Missouri-Rolla University), where she earned a bachelor's degree in physics in 1986 and a master's degree in electrical [engineering](/en/detay/engineering-b8177/llms.txt) in 1990. Dr. Magnus spends her free time on various hobbies including [soccer](/en/detay/futbol-744344/llms.txt), reading, cooking, [travel](/en/detay/seyahat-2/llms.txt), and [water](/en/detay/su-4/llms.txt) activities. During her university years, she played soccer and maintained her interest in the sport. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/02/09/hLjz8BBs3tr27YtIbz2nJ2eBdGXm4196.jpeg) *Sandra Magnus* In 1996, she completed her doctoral studies in materials science and engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her thesis, titled "Investigation of the Relationship Between Thermodynamic Properties and Emission Behavior of Thermionic Cathodes Based on the BaO-Sc₂O₃-WO₃ Ternary System," was supported by a grant from NASA's Lewis Research Center. In the late 1980s, she began working as an engineer at McDonnell Douglas, where she worked on the propulsion system for the A-12 Avenger II project, which was canceled by the Navy in 1991. Sandra Magnus's education and professional career have made significant contributions to the fields of engineering and space research. ### **Educational Background** Magnus completed her high school education in 1982 at Belleville West High School. She then earned a bachelor's degree in physics in 1986 and a master's degree in electrical engineering in 1990 from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly Missouri-Rolla University). In 1996, she completed her doctoral studies in materials science and engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. ### **Missions Participated In** #### **STS-112 Mission (2002)** On her first space mission, STS-112, Magnus flew as a mission specialist in October 2002. The primary objective of the Space Shuttle Atlantis mission was to deliver and install the S1 truss segment on the International Space Station (ISS) and to transfer supplies. During the three spacewalks required to install and activate the S1 truss, Magnus operated the station's robotic arm. The flight duration was 10 days, 19 [hours](/en/detay/saat/llms.txt), 58 [minutes](/en/detay/dakika-3/llms.txt), and 44 seconds. This mission was critical to the structural expansion and increased operational capacity of the ISS. Magnus's role in operating the robotic arm was instrumental in the successful installation and integration of the S1 truss. #### **STS-126 Mission (2008)** Sandra H. Magnus traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on 14 [November](/en/detay/kasim-748438/llms.txt) 2008 as part of NASA's STS-126 mission. She served as a flight engineer and science officer for Expedition 18, remaining aboard the ISS for approximately four and a half months. Magnus played an active role in installing new life support systems designed to increase the station's crew capacity, particularly integrating critical systems such as the water recycling system. During her stay on the ISS, she conducted various scientific experiments and research, covering areas such as the effects of the space environment on human physiology and materials science. After completing her mission on the ISS, she returned to [Earth](/en/detay/dunya-2/llms.txt) on 28 [March](/en/detay/mart-749833/llms.txt) 2009 aboard the [Space Shuttle Discovery](/en/detay/discovery-space-shuttle-60b54/llms.txt). She was succeeded by Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata. Sandra Magnus's work on STS-126 and aboard the ISS made significant contributions to enhancing the station's operational capacity and advancing scientific research. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/02/09/gwnqe6VGeyaEKP8SHAcWZRYvCnxlvedo.jpeg) *Sandra Magnus preparing food in space.* #### **STS-135 Mission (2011)** Sandra H. Magnus traveled to space aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on 8 [July](/en/detay/temmuz-748429/llms.txt) 2011 as part of NASA's STS-135 mission. This mission marked the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program. Magnus served as a mission specialist as part of the crew. Sandra H. Magnus traveled to space aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis on 8 July 2011 as part of NASA's STS-135 mission. This mission marked the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program. Magnus served as a mission specialist as part of the crew. During the mission, she played an active role in the transfer and return of the Raffaello MPLM module to the ISS. The module was used to deliver essential supplies to the station and return unused equipment to [Earth](/en/detay/dunya-2/llms.txt). Magnus operated the ISS's robotic arm, Canadarm2, to move and position the MPLM. These operations were critical tasks requiring precision and expertise. Approximately 4,000 kilograms of cargo were transferred between the ISS and the shuttle. Magnus played a key role in planning and executing these transfers. During the mission, she also assisted in the setup and monitoring of various scientific experiments designed to study the effects of microgravity on different scientific processes. Sandra Magnus's contributions during STS-135 were critical to the success of the final Space Shuttle mission and significantly enhanced the operational capacity of the ISS. #### **Expedition 18** Magnus served as a flight engineer aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 18. She launched to the station on STS-126 on 14 November 2008 as a mission specialist and returned to [Earth](/en/detay/dunya-2/llms.txt) on 28 March 2009 aboard STS-119 as a mission specialist. She spent 133 days in orbit and received warm welcomes from NASA upon her return. Her successor, JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata, launched on 15 March 2009 aboard Discovery. ### **Post-NASA Career** From 2012 to 2018, Magnus served as the Executive Director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). As Executive Director of AIAA, she managed the world's largest technical community in aerospace. During this period, she shaped the organization's strategic direction, enhancing educational, research, and networking opportunities for professionals in the aerospace industry. Throughout her tenure, Magnus actively contributed to aerospace and space policy, working on issues such as establishing industry standards, increasing research funding, and attracting young professionals to the field. She expanded AIAA's educational programs, launching initiatives to increase youth interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and [Mathematics](/en/detay/matematik-749282/llms.txt)). She also organized various events and seminars to raise public awareness of aerospace topics. From 2018 to 2019, she served as President of AstroPlanetView. AstroPlanetView LLC is a company headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. During this period, Dr. Magnus played a significant role in the company's management and strategic direction. However, publicly available detailed information regarding AstroPlanetView LLC's activities and Dr. Magnus's specific responsibilities is limited. In 2019, Dr. Magnus was appointed as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Engineering in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering at the U.S. Department of Defense. In this role, she served as the Chief Engineer for advanced capabilities, overseeing engineering policies, practices, and the Department of Defense's engineering workforce. In this position, she served as the Chief Engineer for advanced capabilities. Her responsibilities included managing engineering policies, practices, and the Department of Defense's engineering workforce. Additionally, she led initiatives in digital engineering and systems engineering, overseeing mission integration management, independent technical [risk](/en/detay/risk-2/llms.txt) assessments, and program planning and [execution](/en/detay/yurutme/llms.txt) processes. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/02/09/0gpWlCUbVXLtIWqt4OTtOpeXlp4PVmn3.jpeg) *Former NASA astronaut Dr. Sandra Magnus aboard the International Space Station in 2010* ### **Awards and Honors** Since childhood, Sandra Magnus has been fascinated by the sky. Her curiosity in science and engineering led her to the Missouri University of Science and Technology, where she excelled not only in the classroom but also on the field. Her determination and [discipline](/en/detay/disiplin-2/llms.txt) on the soccer field earned her a place on the Missouri S&T Athletics Honor Roll in 2003. Sports helped develop not only her physical strength but also her mental resilience. After graduation, Magnus entered NASA and began her journey to space, fulfilling her childhood dream. Her determination and teamwork during space shuttle missions were recognized in 2009 when she received the "Alumni of Distinction" award from the Great Lakes Valley Conference. This honor celebrated not just a former student but an inspiration to others. Throughout her years at NASA, she held numerous important roles. After her time in space, Magnus continued contributing to science and engineering, earning the Missouri S&T "Alumni of Influence" award in 2016. She was no longer merely a successful student or [astronaut](/en/detay/astronot-3/llms.txt), but a guiding light for future generations. NASA did not overlook her contributions. Her achievements during space missions were honored with the NASA Space Flight Medal. However, Magnus was not only someone who successfully completed missions; she was also a scientist who made substantial contributions to NASA. For this reason, she was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. She was more than an engineer who went to space—she was a leader shaping space research. Over the years, Magnus's contributions to the engineering world expanded further. Due to her work, vision, and leadership, she was awarded the IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN) Distinguished Recognition Award in 2024. This is one of the highest honors in engineering and stands as proof that her name has been etched into the history of science. On her journey to the stars, Sandra Magnus did not merely accumulate awards; she also inspired generations to come. [Today](/en/detay/bugun-2/llms.txt), she is remembered as a figure guiding space research and a shining star in the world of science. ### **Dr. Sandra Magnus Today** ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/02/09/exiKHCuepwVD3yoddBQlGmISCS0MXYFV.jpeg) *Dr. Sandra Magnus* Dr. Sandra "Sandy" Magnus currently serves part-time as a Professor of the Practice at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). In this role, she works with students on research, leadership, and mentorship, providing guidance to the faculty on aerospace engineering topics. Additionally, Dr. Magnus serves as Chief Engineer for the Space Traffic Coordination System at the Office of Space Commerce within the U.S. Department of Commerce, holding the status of a temporary federal employee with MITRE Corporation. In addition, she holds an executive position at AstroPlanetView, LLC. Dr. Magnus's roles reflect her extensive experience and leadership abilities in the fields of aerospace and space engineering. ## Academic Sources and References 1. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). "Sandra Magnus." Accessed Adresi. 2. Flinders University News. "Welcome Mat for Astronauts: Sandra Magnus." 3. Missouri S&T Case Alumni Hall of Fame. "Sandra Magnus." 4. NASA. "Sandra Magnus Biography." Accessed November 26, 2025. Accessed Adresi. 5. National Air and Space Museum. "ISS018-E-017005." 6. Online Khabar. "Two-Time Space Traveller Sandra Magnus: 'Our Planet Is So Special, Don't Take It for Granted.'" 7. Spacefacts. "Sandra Magnus." 8. U.S. Department of Defense. "Former Deputy Director for Engineering within the Office of the Under Secretary."