Sandra Magnus was a stealth engineer for McDonnell Douglas, studying radar signature reduction techniques and designing propulsion systems, before being selected as an astronaut candidate. She has been with NASA since 1996, and taken numerous space flights, including the International Space Station (ISS) assembly mission to deliver and install the third piece of the station’s 11-piece Integrated Truss Structure.

Dr. Magnus operated the space station’s robotic arm during the three spacewalks required to outfit and activate the new component in the first shuttle mission to use a camera on the External Tank, providing a live view of the launch to flight controllers and NASA TV viewers.

Magnus also served as a CAPCOM for the International Space Station and has worked with the Canadian Space Agency to prepare the Special Dexterous Manipulator robot for installation on the ISS. Her second ISS mission in 2009 lasted 4-1/2 months, during which she helped install major upgrades required to accommodate six-person crew operations, including a water regeneration system and a new solar panel.

Among her many awards are the Saturn Team Award (1994) and NASA Space Flight Medal (2002).