Kathryn Ryan Cordell Thornton is an American scientist and a former NASA astronaut with over 975 hours in space, including 21 hours of extravehicular activity. She was the associate dean for graduate programs at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science, currently a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.
| Nationality: | American |
| Status: | Retired |
| Born: | Aug 17, 1952, Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. |
| Other occupation: | Physicist |
| Alma mater: | Auburn University, B.S. 1974, University of Virginia, M.S. 1977, Ph.D. 1979 |
| Time in space: | 40d 15h 14m |
| Selection: | 1984 NASA Group 10 |
| Missions: | STS-33, STS-49, STS-61, STS-73 |
About Kathryn Thornton
Physicist who flew on four NASA spaceflights. She also served as Dean of the University of Virginia's School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Before Fame
She was the recipient of a NATO postdoctoral fellowship.
Achievement
She was on the crew of a Space Shuttle Discovery Department of Defense mission.
Family Life
She married Steven Thornton.
Associations
She and Sally Ride were both female astronauts.
Information related to Kathryn C. Thornton
- Sidney Lanier High School alumni
- Women astronauts
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees
- Auburn University alumni
- University of Virginia faculty
- American astronauts
Latest information about Kathryn Thornton updated on January 20, 2021.
