James F. Buchli
James Frederick Buchli is an American retired Marine aviator, test pilot, engineer, and former NASA astronaut. Selected with NASA Astronaut Group 8 in 1978, he flew four shuttle missions during the 1980s and early 1990s.
- Born
- June 20, 1945
- Died
- N/A
- Birthplace
- New Rockford, North Dakota,United States
Flights
4
Spacewalks
0
EVA time
N/A
In space
20 days, 10 hours, 25 minutes
Bio
Buchli came to NASA from the Marine Corps, where he served as a naval aviator and test pilot. His military aviation background fit shuttle work, especially on Department of Defense and complex payload missions.
His first mission was STS-51-C, the first dedicated Department of Defense shuttle flight. He then flew STS-61-A, the German-led Spacelab D1 mission.
Buchli later flew STS-29 and STS-48, supporting communications satellite work and the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite deployment.
His career connects Marine aviation, classified shuttle operations, international Spacelab work, and Earth-observing spacecraft deployment.