Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UVA

Kathryn Thornton

Professor
Telephone: (434) 924-7565
E-mail: kt4n@virginia.edu

After traveling more than 16 million miles in space, Kathryn Thornton joined the faculty in 1996 as a professor with appointments in the Division of Technology, Culture and Communication, and in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. She is also director of the University of Virginia Center for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Education whose goal is to promote excellence in science, mathematics and technology education at all levels in Virginia’s public schools. She earned a B.S. in physics from Auburn University and M.S. and Ph.D. also in physics from the University of Virginia.

Prior to coming to UVa, Thornton served for 12 years as NASA astronaut, flying four space missions, including the first Hubble Space Telescope Service Mission, and logging more than 975 hours in space and over 21 hours of extravehicular activity (space walking). She holds the women’ record for both number and duration of extravehicular activity. Dr. Thornton also headed the NASA Johnson Space Center Education working group which coordinated the educational outreach activities of astronauts and professional educators working under the ”Teaching from Space” contract with Oklahoma State University. Videos, printed materials and live events with school children and astronauts in orbit were some of the products of the group.

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