Scott D. Tingle

Summary

Scott D. Tingle was selected by NASA in 2009.  Raised in Randolph, Massachusetts, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University, and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Following graduate school, Captain Tingle spent three years with the Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California, as a member of technical staff in their Propulsion Department.  He was commissioned as a naval officer in 1991.  Tingle most recently served as Flight Engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 54/55.

Personal

Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, but considers his hometown as Randolph, Massachusetts. Married to the former Raynette Mahelona of Kailua, Hawaii. They have three children.

Education

Graduated from Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical High School, Canton, Massachusetts, in 1983. Earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University in 1987. Earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a specialty in fluid mechanics and propulsion from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, in 1988. Attended Naval Aviation Safety Officer School in January 2000.  Attended University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Executive Leadership program in June 2015.

Experience

Following graduate school, Captain Tingle spent three years with the Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California, as a member of technical staff in their Propulsion Department. He was commissioned as a naval officer in 1991 and earned his wings of gold as a naval aviator in 1993. He began his operational flying career in 1994 with the Blue Diamonds of VFA-146 based in Lemoore, California. He deployed to the Western Pacific and North Arabian Gulf with Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard the USS Nimitz. Following graduation from Navy Test Pilot School in 1998, he performed as an operational test pilot for the FA-18E/F Super Hornet program with the Vampires of VX-9, located at China Lake, California. Tingle then completed a CAG Paddles tour flying FA-18A/C Hornets with Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) aboard USS Carl Vinson. CVW-11 and USS Carl Vinson were first responders for the attacks of September 11, 2001 and Executed Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. After a tour as assistant operations officer with the Strike Fighter Wing Pacific and instructor pilot with VFA-122, he completed a department head tour as safety officer, maintenance officer and operations officer while flying the FA-18A Hornet with the Warhawks of VFA-97 (Lemoore, California). Tingle completed a deployment with CVW-11 to the Western Pacific/North Arabian Gulf and also deployed with Marine Air Group Twelve (MAG-12) to Iwakuni, Japan. In 2005, Tingle returned to Patuxent River, Maryland, as the Ship Suitability Department Head and test pilot with the Salty Dogs of VX-23. Here, he tested FA-18C Hornet, FA-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft and certified aircraft carrier precision landing systems. Tingle was attached to PMA-201 as the assistant program manager/systems engineer for the Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM) and Harpoon weapon systems when selected as an astronaut. He has accumulated more than 4,500 flight hours in 51 types of aircraft, 750 carrier arrestments and 54 combat missions.

NASA Experience

Captain Tingle was selected in July 2009 as one of 9 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. His training included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalks, robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training and water and wilderness survival training.

Tingle was assigned as Flight Engineer and United States Operational Segment Lead for Expedition 54/55 (December 17, 2017 through June 3, 2018) aboard the International Space Station.  The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard the Soyuz spacecraft. Tingle was joined by Russian Cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.  During the mission, hundreds of experiments were conducted, including materials testing, capillary flow experiments, combustion research, and research into plant growth in space. They also captured and released four cargo spacecraft delivering several tons of supplies and experiments. Tingle and Kanai ventured outside the station on separate spacewalks to perform work on parts of the Canadarm2 robotic arm. They also participated in dozens of educational events as part of NASA’s Year of Education on Station.  Tingle returned to earth after 168 days of living and working in low-Earth orbit.

Awards/Honors

Awarded a Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, NASA Space Flight Medal, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, three Air Medals, six Navy Commendation Medals including one with Combat Valor, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various unit commendations. Graduated magna cum laude from Southeastern Massachusetts University. Outstanding Graduate of U.S. Navy Test Pilot School Class 113.

Organizations

Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Experimental Aircraft Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Tailhook Association, U.S. Navy Test Pilot School Alumni Association, Purdue University Alumni Association, University of Massachusetts Alumni Association, Save the Children.

Pronunciation

SKOT TING-le

Tingle, Scott D. (PDF 406 KB)