Ohio has long punched above its weight in sending people into space. From small-town flight schools to major research universities and military test programs, the state has produced pilots, engineers and mission specialists who went on to significant roles in NASA programs.
There are 5 Astronauts from Ohio, ranging from Jim Lovell to Sunita Williams. The list is organized with the columns Birthplace (city), Birthdate (YYYY-MM-DD), Selection & missions to give a concise snapshot of origins, timelines and mission records — you’ll find below.
Why did Ohio produce a notable number of astronauts?
Ohio’s mix of aviation culture, strong engineering programs, and nearby military test facilities created a steady talent pool. Many astronauts started as pilots or engineers trained at Ohio institutions, and NASA recruitment historically favored candidates with that operational and technical background.
How can I confirm the dates and mission details listed below?
Verify details using primary sources such as NASA’s official astronaut biographies, mission reports and reputable space history databases; museum archives and published biographies are also useful. Those sources typically include selection years, flight manifests and official birthplaces that match the columns you’ll see below.
Astronauts from Ohio
| Name | Birthplace (city) | Birthdate (YYYY-MM-DD) | Selection & missions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neil Armstrong | Wapakoneta, Ohio | 1930-08-05 | Selected 1962; Gemini 8 (1966), Apollo 11 (1969) |
| John Glenn | Cambridge, Ohio | 1921-07-18 | Selected 1959; Mercury‑Atlas 6 (Friendship 7, 1962), STS‑95 (1998) |
| Jim Lovell | Cleveland, Ohio | 1928-03-25 | Selected 1962; Gemini 7 (1965), Apollo 8 (1968), Apollo 13 (1970) |
| Judith Resnik | Akron, Ohio | 1949-04-05 | Selected 1978; STS‑41‑D (1984), STS‑51‑L (1986) |
| Sunita Williams | Euclid, Ohio | 1965-09-19 | Selected 1998; STS‑116 (2006), Expedition 14/15 (2006–07), Expedition 32/33 (2012) |
Images and Descriptions
Neil Armstrong
First person to walk on the Moon as commander of Apollo 11 in 1969. Test pilot and Navy veteran from Wapakoneta, Ohio, selected in 1962. Later taught, wrote, and remained an iconic figure in space exploration.
John Glenn
Mercury astronaut and first American to orbit Earth on Friendship 7 in 1962. Born in Cambridge, Ohio; a Marine pilot and U.S. Senator who returned to space on STS‑95 in 1998 at age 77, becoming the oldest person to fly.
Jim Lovell
Naval aviator from Cleveland who flew Gemini 7, served on Apollo 8’s first lunar orbit mission, and commanded Apollo 13, returning safely after an in‑flight accident. Selected in 1962, later a public speaker and author.
Judith Resnik
Electrical engineer from Akron, selected in NASA’s 1978 astronaut class. Flew on STS‑41‑D in 1984 and died in the Challenger disaster (STS‑51‑L) in 1986. Remembered for technical skill, teaching, and efforts to inspire women in STEM.
Sunita Williams
Born in Euclid, Ohio, Suni Williams was selected in 1998 and completed multiple long‑duration ISS expeditions in 2006–07 and 2012. She performed numerous spacewalks, set U.S. records for female EVA time, and remains active in outreach.
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