Michael Scott Hopkins
Michael Scott Hopkins is an American former NASA astronaut and United States Space Force colonel. He flew two long-duration missions to the International and became the first astronaut to transfer into the Space Force while in orbit.
- Born
- December 28, 1968
- Died
- N/A
- Birthplace
- Lebanon, Missouri,United States
Flights
2
Spacewalks
5
EVA time
32 hours, 1 minute
In space
333 days, 12 hours, 54 minutes
Bio
Hopkins studied aerospace engineering at the University of Illinois and Stanford, then served as an Air Force officer before NASA selected him with Astronaut Group 20 in 2009. His military background included , engineering, and staff work before astronaut selection.
His first mission launched on Soyuz TMA-10M in 2013 for 37 and 38. He returned to the ISS on SpaceX Crew-1, commanding Crew Dragon Resilience and serving during Expeditions 64 and 65.
Hopkins performed five and became a prominent figure in the transition from Soyuz-only U.S. access after shuttle retirement to operational flights. His in-orbit transfer from the Air Force to the Space Force made his second mission historically distinct.
He retired from NASA in 2023.