Jeffrey A. Hoffman

Professor of the Practice of Aerospace Engineering
Director, Human Systems Lab
Director, Massachusetts Space Grant
I flew five missions aboard the Space Shuttle, logging more than 1,211 hours and 21.5 million miles in space, including the first mission to repair the Hubble Telescope in 1993.

Contact Info

Office Phone

617.452.2353

Email

Office

Website/Lab

Lab

Administrative Contact

Gabrielle Hoyte

Financial Contact

Jennifer Leith
617.253.4929

Specialization and Research Interests

Human space flight operations, space flight technology, human-machine interactions, extravehicular activity, conducting laboratory research in space

Teaching Interests

Space systems design, space policy

Academic Degrees

B.A., 1966, Amherst College Ph.D., 1971, Harvard University M.S., 1988, Rice University

Society Memberships

International Academy of Astronautics, Spanish Academy of Engineering, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Astronomical Society, International Astronomical Union, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi

Positions Held at MIT

Research staff, Center for Space Research, 1975-1978; senior lecturer, 2001-2002; professor of the practice, 2002-present; director, Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium, 2005-present; director, Man Vehicle Lab, 2015-present.

Positions Held outside MIT

NASA astronaut, 1978-1997, five flights; NASA European representative, 1997-2001

Professor Jeffrey Hoffman servicing the Hubble Telescope during STS-61. Photo courtesy of NASA.

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Awards & Honors

2011
Centennial Medal from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
2007
Elected to the US Astronaut Hall of Fame
2002
Exceptional Service Medals (Also received in 1988, 1991, and 1993)
1997
NASA Distinguished Service Medals (also received in 1994)
1996
Space Flight Medals (Also received in 1985, 1991, 1992, & 1994)
1993
National Aeronautic Association Collier Trophy
1993
Aviation Week and Space Technology Laurels for Achievements in Space
1994
American Astronautical Society Victor A. Prather Award
1994
Freedom Forum Free Spirit Award
1995
AIAA Space Operations and Support Systems Award
1991
International Aeronautical Federation V.M. Komarov Diploma
1994
International Aeronautical Federation Sergei P. Koprolyov Diploma