Photo: NASA / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Honestly, learning about Rick Sturckow gave me chills. Here is a man who has been launched into space more times than any other human, four Space Shuttle missions plus six Virgin Galactic flights. A Marine Corps officer, an engineer, a NASA astronaut, and finally a commercial spacecraft pilot, he kept reinventing what it means to fly. That blend of military nerve and engineering precision is rare, and the Distinguished Service Medal feels almost understated for it. What I admire most is the sense that he never let go of a childhood dream of the sky. Lives like his remind me how far sheer persistence can carry someone, all the way to the edge of space.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Frederick W. Sturckow
- Name (Japanese)
- フレドリック・スターカウ
- Reading
- ふれどりっく・すたーかう
- Born
- August 11, 1961 (age 64)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Leo / Ox
- Origin
- La Mesa, California, United States
- Occupation
- military officer / astronaut
2. Background
- High school
- Grossmont High School
- University
- California Polytechnic State University
Awards & achievements
- Air Medal
- 2010 NASA Distinguished Service Medal
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Frederick W. Sturckow born?
Born August 11, 1961 (age 64).
Where is Frederick W. Sturckow from?
Frederick W. Sturckow is from La Mesa, California, United States.
What does Frederick W. Sturckow do?
Frederick W. Sturckow works as military officer, astronaut.
Military officer — see all → · Astronaut — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.