Photo: NASA / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Michael E. Fossum is a military officer, astronaut and engineer. Michael E. Fossum was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States on December 19, 1957. That works out to 68 years old in 2026. Schooling on record includes McAllen High School and Texas A&M University. Recorded honors include NASA Distinguished Service Medal (2012) and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
My Take
What strikes me about Fossum is how unhurried his greatness feels. A kid from Sioux Falls who became a biochemist, engineer, military officer, and ultimately a Space Station commander could easily come across as a list of credentials, but the throughline is quiet diligence rather than spectacle. The Eagle Scout roots tell you everything: this is someone who got to space by methodically earning every step. I admire that he's now passing it forward at Texas A&M instead of chasing the limelight. He's the kind of low-key hero I find far more compelling than the loud ones, and worth knowing.
This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Michael E. Fossum
- Name (Japanese)
- マイケル・E・フォッサム
- Reading
- まいける・E・ふぉっさむ
- Born
- December 19, 1957 (age 68)
- Origin
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
- Occupation
- military officer / astronaut / engineer / biochemist
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Sagittarius / Rooster
2. Background
- High school
- McAllen High School
- University
- Texas A&M University
Awards & achievements
- 2012 NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
Only publicly available facts are listed; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. Base data was compiled from Wikidata from June 2026 onward; ages are recalculated daily and deaths are checked against Wikidata on an ongoing basis. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Michael E. Fossum born?
Michael E. Fossum was born on December 19, 1957 and is 68 years old.
Where is Michael E. Fossum from?
Michael E. Fossum is from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States.
What does Michael E. Fossum do?
Michael E. Fossum works as military officer, astronaut, engineer, biochemist.
Where did Michael E. Fossum study?
Michael E. Fossum attended Texas A&M University.
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