NASA Astronaut Josh A. Cassada

After two operational deployments in the P-3C, including 23 combat missions, Cassada was a P-3C and P-8A test pilot, as well as an instructor at the US Naval Test Pilot School. Cassada has accumulated more than 4,000 flight hours in over 45 different aircraft. 

Prior to becoming a naval aviator, Cassada earned his Physics B.A. at Albion College and his Ph. D. at the University of Rochester, conducting experimental high energy physics research at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

Cassada launched to the International Space Station as pilot of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on October 5, 2022.