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National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center

Astrophysics Science Division | Sciences and Exploration

This website is kept for archival purposes only and is no longer updated.

PERSONAL DATA: Born April 30, 1957 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Married to the former Cheryl Ann Tobritzhofer of St. Paul, Minnesota. They have two children. He enjoys motorcycle travel, racing motocross, camping, home-schooling his children, and reading science fiction. His parents reside in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Highland Park High School, St. Paul, Minnesota in 1975; received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis in 1981 and 1982, respectively.

SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals.

Pilot Duane "Digger" Carey has logged over 3700 hours in more than 35 types of aircraft. His experience includes flying an A-10A during tours at England Air Force Base, Louisiana, and Suwon Air Base, Republic of Korea. He completed F-16 training in 1988 and was assigned to Torrejon Air Base, Spain.

In 1991, Carey was selected to attend the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California. After graduation in 1992, he worked as an F-16 experimental test pilot and System Safety Officer at Edwards Air Force Base. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals. Carey is a member of the National Space Society, the Air Force Association.

In 1996, NASA selected Carey for astronaut training. As Columbia's pilot on STS-109, Carey will be making his first Shuttle flight.