{{short description|American astronaut (born 1967)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}} {{AI-generated|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox astronaut | name = Terry Virts | image = Terry Virts - official portrait EMU.jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2014 | birth_name = Terry Wayne Virts Jr. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|12|1}} | birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | education = United States Air Force Academy (BS)<br/>Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (MS) | type = NASA astronaut | rank = Colonel, USAF | time = 213d 10h 48m | selection = NASA Group 18 (2000) | evas = 3 | eva_time = 19h 2m | missions = STS-130<br/>Soyuz TMA-15M (Expedition 42/43) | retirement = August 2016 | insignia = 40px 40px 40px | website = {{url|terryvirts.com|Campaign website}}<br>{{url|terryvirts.space|Personal website}} }} '''Terry Wayne Virts Jr.''' (born December 1, 1967) is a retired NASA astronaut,<ref name="nasabio" /> International Space Station commander, and colonel in the United States Air Force. Virts is a member of the Democratic Party.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=J. David |date=2025-06-23 |title=Terry Virts, Former Astronaut, Announces Texas Senate Run |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/us/terry-virts-john-cornyn-senate-texas.html |access-date=2025-06-24 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://music.youtube.com/podcast/gIjwNLBxep0|title=YouTube Music|website=YouTube Music}}</ref> He was a candidate in the 2026 United States Senate election in Texas and later ran for Texas's 9th congressional district, but withdrew from the former and was eliminated in the primary for the latter.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=J. David |date=June 23, 2025 |title=Former Astronaut Launches Texas Senate Run by Hitting Both Parties |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/us/terry-virts-john-cornyn-senate-texas.html |access-date=June 26, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="switch">{{Cite news |last=Schneider |first=Andrew |date=November 6, 2025 |title=Former astronaut Terry Virts switches from Senate race to Democratic primary for congressional seat |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/elections/2025/11/06/535403/terry-virts-congress-senate-race-democratic-primary/ |access-date=January 1, 2026| publisher=Houston Public Media}}</ref>
== Background and education == Virts was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in Columbia, Maryland. He graduated from Oakland Mills High School in 1985. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics (with a French minor) from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989 and a Master of Science degree in aeronautics from Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University in 1997. While at the Air Force Academy, Virts attended the École de l'Air in 1988 on an exchange program.<ref name=nasabio/> While at NASA he completed a General Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-02 |title=A Vision for the Earth |url=https://www.alumni.hbs.edu/stories/Pages/story-bulletin.aspx?num=5998 |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Harvard Business School Alumni |language=en}}</ref>
== Military career == Virts was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989 and earned his pilot wings at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. He completed basic fighter lead-in training at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico followed by formal training in the F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 56th Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
He was then assigned to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. After Hurricane Andrew struck southern Florida in 1992, his squadron was moved to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. He was later assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, and the 22nd Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.<ref name="afvirts">{{cite news |author=Capt. Corinna Jones |date=January 29, 2010 |title=1989 Academy graduate to pilot STS-130 shuttle mission |publisher=U.S. Air Force Academy |url=https://www.usafa.af.mil/News/Article/429000/89-academy-graduate-to-pilot-sts-130-shuttle-mission/ |access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref>
Virts was selected for test pilot school in 1997 at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Following graduation, he was an experimental test pilot at the F-16 Combined Test Force at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.<ref name="afvirts"/> He has logged more than 5,300 flight hours in 40 different aircraft.<ref name=nasabio>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/virts-tw_0.pdf |title=Terry W. Virts, Jr. (Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Retired) NASA Astronaut |publisher=NASA |date=March 2016 |access-date=June 18, 2021}}</ref>
== NASA career == [[File:Astronaut Salutes Nimoy From Orbit.jpg|thumb|200px|Virts gives the Vulcan salute to Boston, Massachusetts—Leonard Nimoy's hometown—after hearing of Nimoy's death]] Virts's NASA career spanned several pivotal roles and space missions. In 2000,<ref>{{Cite web |last=@NatGeoUK |date=2022-04-19 |title=Terry Virts |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/photographer/terry-virts |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=National Geographic |language=en-gb}}</ref> Virts was selected as a Space Shuttle pilot by NASA. His career was marked by a series of important technical assignments and mission roles.<ref name=":1" />
One of his notable assignments was serving as the lead astronaut for the NASA T-38 program, where he contributed to the training and preparation of fellow astronauts. Virts also played a crucial role as a member of the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) test crew, participating in critical systems testing and integration efforts.<ref name=":1" />
In 2004, Virts supported Expedition 9 as a crew support astronaut,<ref name="nasabio" /> providing valuable assistance to the mission's crew members. Additionally, he took on the role of a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM), acting as a vital link between ground control and astronauts in space.<ref name="nasabio" />
Virts's contributions extended to the Space Launch System (SLS) program, where he served as the lead astronaut, playing an instrumental role in the development and advancement of this vital component of NASA's future missions.<ref name="nasabio" />
On February 8, 2010, Virts embarked on his maiden spaceflight as the pilot of STS-130 aboard the Space Shuttle ''Endeavour''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Andrew |date=2018-09-14 |title=Former NASA astronaut Terry Virts bringing out-of-this-world stories to Peace Center |url=https://greenvillejournal.com/news/former-nasa-astronaut-terry-virts-to-talk-about-space-adventures-photography-at-peace-center/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=GREENVILLE JOURNAL |language=en-US |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425042644/https://greenvillejournal.com/news/former-nasa-astronaut-terry-virts-to-talk-about-space-adventures-photography-at-peace-center/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> This historic mission marked the final assembly flight of the International Space Station and delivered the Tranquility module as well as the Cupola. The mission concluded with a safe landing on February 22, 2010.<ref name="afvirts" />
On November 23, 2014, Virts launched aboard Soyuz TMA-15M alongside fellow astronauts Samantha Cristoforetti and Anton Shkaplerov from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. They successfully docked at the International Space Station approximately six hours later.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Associated Press |title=Crew docks at International Space Station |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/11/23/international-space-station-mission-launch/19452521/ |accessdate=November 24, 2014 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>
Virts paid tribute to the late ''Star Trek'' actor Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed Spock, from space on February 28, 2015. He tweeted an image of himself from the International Space Station, striking the Vulcan salute as the ISS flew over Boston, MA, Nimoy's birthplace.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Associated Press |title=Astronaut Sends Vulcan Tribute to Leonard Nimoy From Final Frontier |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/astronaut-sends-vulcan-tribute-leonard-nimoy-final-frontier-n314766 |accessdate=February 28, 2015 |publisher=NBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Izadi |first=Elahe |date=2021-12-03 |title=The touching tribute to Leonard Nimoy from space |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/02/28/the-touching-tribute-to-leonard-nimoy-from-space/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
With the impending departure of Soyuz TMA-14M in March 2015, Virts assumed the role of the commander of the International Space Station, leading Expedition 43.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last1=Newcomb |first1=Alyssa |date=March 11, 2015 |title=NASA Astronaut Hands Over Command of International Space Station |agency=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/nasa-astronaut-hands-command-international-space-station/story?id=29555584 |accessdate=March 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Strickland |first=Ashley |date=2020-12-31 |title=Astronaut Terry Virts shares an 'insider's guide' to life in space |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/31/world/terry-virts-how-to-astronaut-scn/index.html |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> The mission concluded with a successful landing on June 11, 2015, in Kazakhstan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-06-11 |title=After 28 Weeks in Orbit, Multi-National Soyuz TMA-15M Crew Returns Safely to Earth - AmericaSpace |url=https://www.americaspace.com/2015/06/11/after-28-weeks-in-orbit-multi-national-soyuz-tma-15m-crew-returns-safely-to-earth/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=www.americaspace.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
In August 2016, Virts retired from NASA.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Canales |first=Christina |date=August 23, 2016 |title=Veteran Astronaut Terry Virts Retires from NASA |language=en |newspaper=NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/veteran-astronaut-terry-virts-retires-from-nasa |access-date=February 16, 2017}}</ref>
== Post-NASA career and politics == Following his career at NASA, Virts entered the fields of public speaking, podcast appearances,<ref>{{Cite web |title=[How to Astronaut] {{!}} C-SPAN.org |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?476066-1/how-astronaut |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=www.c-span.org}}</ref> including creating a podcast "Down To Earth",<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Daisy Dobrijevic |date=2021-06-16 |title=Get 'Down to Earth' with former NASA astronaut Terry Virts in new podcast |url=https://www.space.com/astronaut-terry-virts-down-to-earth-podcast |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=Space.com |language=en}}</ref> business consultancy, literature, film-making, and screenwriting.
In 2019, Virts was part of a crew of eight aviation explorers who achieved the fastest circumnavigation of Earth via both geographic poles by airplane. This was accomplished on July 11, 2019, in a time of 46 hours, 40 minutes, and 22 seconds. The accomplishment earned recognition from Guinness World Records and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woodyatt |first=Amy |date=July 11, 2019 |title=Flight crew breaks record for circumnavigating globe via both poles |language=en |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/speed-record-circumnavigate-intl-scli/index.html |access-date=April 3, 2021}}</ref>
Virts made an appearance on ''The Joe Rogan Experience'' on December 11, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 2020 |title=#1577 Terry Virts |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4k7JHPCLoCmSlZY9tvme0s |access-date=July 4, 2023 |publisher=The Joe Rogan Experience}}</ref>
In 2022, Virts joined Group Of Humans, a global community of interdisciplinary experts, contributing to their "One Step Further" lunar initiative, which brings together storytellers, designers, and technologists to explore the future space economy.<ref>{{cite web |last=Noble |first=Robert |title=Edition 5: AI's role in future space storytelling |url=https://open.substack.com/pub/groupofhumans/p/edition-5-ais-role-in-future-space |website=Group Of Humans on Substack |date=18 February 2024 |access-date=12 April 2025}}</ref>
=== 2026 U.S. Senate candidacy === In June 2025, Virts declared his candidacy in the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Texas for the seat currently held by Republican John Cornyn.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goodman |first=J. David |date=June 23, 2025 |title=Former Astronaut Launches Texas Senate Run by Hitting Both Parties |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/us/terry-virts-john-cornyn-senate-texas.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Virts describes himself as a "common-sense Democrat" and says that he is against illegal immigration while supporting legal immigration. He has criticized the perceived support of illegal immigration by the Democratic Party during the Biden administration.<ref name="auto"/>
==== Switch to U.S. House of Representatives campaign ==== In November 2025, Virts withdrew his candidacy for the Senate, and announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas's 9th Congressional District.<ref name="switch"/>
== Awards and honors == Virts's achievements and awards encompass a career in both the military and space exploration.
Throughout his military service, Virts received several decorations and medals, including:
# Meritorious Service Medal: Awarded for exceptional meritorious service, highlighting Virts's dedication and commitment during his military career. # Air Medal: Recognizing his courageous actions and exceptional achievements in aerial combat or significant flight operations. # Aerial Achievement Medal: Commending his exceptional accomplishments in aerial flight missions, displaying his remarkable skills and expertise. # Air Force Commendation Medal: Acknowledging his commendable performance and meritorious service in the United States Air Force.<ref name="nasabio" />
Virts was a member of Expedition 42 aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The European Space Agency commissioned Lego mini-figures to honor the crew members of Expedition 42, including Terry Virts,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-10 |title=Astronauts Get Their Own LEGO Minifigures on Space Station |url=http://news.yahoo.com/astronauts-own-lego-minifigures-space-station-104910655.html |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref> Samantha Cristoforetti, and Anton Shkaplerov.<ref name="collectSPACE.com 2015">{{cite web |date=8 January 2015 |title=Astronauts get their own LEGO minifigures on space station |url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-010815a-lego-minifigures-space-station.html |access-date=26 May 2023 |website=collectSPACE.com}}</ref>
== Publications == *{{cite book |author=Virts, Terry |title=View From Above: An Astronaut Photographs the World |publisher=National Geographic |year=2017 <!--isbn=9781426218644 -->|bibcode=2017vaaa.book.....V }} – A coffee table book from National Geographic; contains mostly photographs of Earth, with additional photos of the Space Shuttle ''Endeavour'', the International Space Station and related subjects; also contains stories about Virts's experiences as an astronaut. *{{cite book |author=Virts, Terry |title=Apo11o: To the Moon and Back |publisher=Book Arts |year=2019}} – A limited edition, luxury replication of the Apollo 11 Flight Plan. *{{cite book |author=Virts, Terry |title=How To Astronaut |publisher=Workman Publishing |year=2020}} – An Insiders Guide To Leaving Planet Earth.<ref>{{cite news|title=Astronaut Terry Virts shares an 'insider's guide' to life in space|author=Ashley Strickland|publisher=CNN|date=December 31, 2020|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/31/world/terry-virts-how-to-astronaut-scn/index.html|access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref>
== See also == *''A Beautiful Planet'' – 2016 IMAX documentary film showing scenes of Earth which features Virts and other ISS astronauts. *One More Orbit Mission – A mission and documentary film. In 2019, Virts circumnavigated the planet in a Gulfstream G650 via the North and South Poles in honor of the Apollo 11 mission's 50th anniversary. The mission broke the world time and speed records, earning Guinness World and FAI records.
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/virts_terry.htm Spacefacts biography of Terry W. Virts, Jr.] * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20101227051853/http://www.explorehoward.com/news/68917/oakland-mills-grad-set-space-launch/ ''Howard County Times'': "Oakland Mills grad set for space launch"]}} * {{C-SPAN|98548}}
{{s-start}} {{s-bef|before=Barry E. Wilmore}} {{s-ttl|title=ISS Expedition Commander|years=March 10, 2015 – June 11, 2015}} {{s-aft|after=Gennady Padalka}} {{s-end}}
{{NASA Astronaut Group 18}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Virts, Terry}} Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:American astronaut-politicians Category:American test pilots Category:Candidates in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections Category:Candidates in the 2026 United States Senate elections Category:Commanders of the International Space Station Category:Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University alumni Category:Recipients of the Air Medal Category:Space Shuttle program astronauts Category:Spacewalkers Category:Texas Democrats Category:U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School alumni Category:United States Air Force Academy alumni Category:United States Air Force astronauts Category:United States Air Force officers