Alumnus: Astronomy Ph.D. 1977
Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kansas; Director of the KU Engineering Physics program and Adjunct Professor of Aerospace Engineering
A native of Salina, Kansas Dr. Hawley received degrees in physics and astronomy, graduating with highest distinction, from the University of Kansas in 1973, and earned a doctor of philosophy in astronomy and astrophysics from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1977. Prior to his selection to NASA Dr. Hawley was a research associate at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in La Serena, Chile. Dr. Hawley was selected as a NASA astronaut in January 1978. A veteran of five space flights (STS-41D in 1984, STS-61C in 1986, STS-31 in 1990, STS-82 in 1997 and STS-93 in 1999) Dr. Hawley has logged more than 32 days in space. Three of his missions involved NASA’s Great Observatories. Dr. Hawley also served in numerous management positions for NASA. From 1987-1990, he was the Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office. In June 1990, he left the Astronaut Office to assume the post of Associate Director of NASA’s Ames Research Center in California. In August 1992, he returned to the Johnson Space Center as Deputy Director of Flight Crew Operations. Dr. Hawley was returned to astronaut flight status in February 1996. After completion of his assignment to the second Hubble Space Telescope mission he returned to duty as Deputy Director, Flight Crew Operations. From October 2001 to November 2002, Dr. Hawley served as Director, Flight Crew Operations. From 2003 to 2008 he served as Director, Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science. Dr. Hawley also served as the first Chief Astronaut of the NASA Engineering and Safety Center from 2003 to 2004.
