Archive Person

Ron Garan

NASA Astronaut, Fighter Pilot, and Humanitarian

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Astronaut

Spaceflight affiliation

NASA

Ron Garan is a former NASA astronaut, decorated fighter pilot, and social entrepreneur whose career spans space exploration, military service, and global humanitarian efforts. Selected by NASA in 2000, he flew aboard both the Space Shuttle and the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, spending a total of 178 days in space and completing four spacewalks. Before his time at NASA, Garan served as an F-16 fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, flying combat missions during Desert Shield and Desert Storm and later becoming a test pilot and instructor. His space missions included work aboard the International Space Station, where he contributed to scientific research and station assembly. Following his astronaut career, Garan has focused on using space-based insights to improve life on Earth. He is the founder of organizations such as the Manna Energy Foundation and Fragile Oasis, and author of The Orbital Perspective, which explores how viewing Earth from space can inspire solutions to global challenges. Through his work as a speaker, advisor, and advocate, Garan continues to champion collaboration, sustainability, and a shared responsibility for our planet—bringing the perspective of space back to Earth.