Eileen Marie Collins is a retired NASA astronaut and United States Air Force colonel. A former military instructor and test pilot, Collins was the first female pilot and first female commander of a Space Shuttle. She was awarded several medals for her work. Colonel Collins has logged 38 days 8 hours and 20 minutes in outer space. Collins retired on May 1, 2006, to pursue private interests, including service as a board member of USAA.
| Status: | Retired |
| Born: | Eileen Marie Collins, November 19, 1956, Elmira, New York, U.S. |
| Other occupation: | Test pilot |
| Rank: | Colonel, USAF |
| Time in space: | 38d 08h 20m |
| Selection: | 1990 NASA Group 13 |
| Missions: | STS-63, STS-84, STS-93, STS-114 |
| Retirement: | May 1, 2006 |
About Eileen Collins
The first female pilot of a Space Shuttle as well as the first female commander of a U.S. Spacecraft.
Before Fame
She was an assistant professor in mathematics and an instructor pilot at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Achievement
She was named one of the top 300 women in history to change the world by Encyclopedia Britannica.
Family Life
She married in 1987 and had two children.
Associations
She accomplished a first for women, as did female astronaut Mae Jemison.
Information related to Eileen Collins
- Matt DeHart - Matt DeHart is an American citizen and former U.S. Air National Guard intelligence analyst known for his involvement with the Anonymous hacker group and WikiLeaks and claims to have received classified documents alleging serious misconduct by the CIA.
- United States Air Force Academy faculty
- Harmon Trophy winners
- Women astronauts
- United States Air Force astronauts
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees
- Women in the United States Air Force
- NASA civilian astronauts
- Webster University alumni
- U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School alumni
- American test pilots
- Female aviators
- American astronauts
- Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
