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Scott Horowitz

B.S. 1978Scott Horowitz

Alumnus Scott “Doc” Horowitz, one of the nation’s most decorated pilots, logged 5,000 hours in over 50 different aircrafts, belongs to a select group of individuals who can call themselves American Astronauts. Today, in his role as Director of Space Exploration and Transportation at ATK Thiokol, he is one the leading edge of making space transportation a reality for citizens from every walk of life.

Horowitz earned his B.S. in engineering at California State University, Northridge, and later earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from George Tech. After performing research as an associate scientist for Lockheed-Georgia, he successfully completed pilot training in Arizona at Williams Air Force Base. He then served as a T-38 instructor pilot and managed simulator testing and development for the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory at Williams AFB. Following a stint in Germany as an operational F-15 Fighter Pilot, Horowitz returned to the U.S. attending the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base.

While stationed at Williams AFB, and later in Germany Horowitz served as an adjunct professor at Embry Riddle University where he conducted graduate level courses in aircraft design, aircraft propulsion and rocket proportion. In 1991, while stationed at Edwards AFB, , he taught graduate level courses in mechanical engineering, including advanced stability and control as a professor for California State University, Fresno.

Selected as a astronaut pilot by NASA in 1992, Horowitz reported to the Johnson Space Center where he successfully completed a year of initial training. He has traveled more than 16 million miles in space on four Shuttle missions He was the pilot for STS 75 (tether satellite and microgravity research mission), STS-82 (2nd Hubble servicing mission), STS-101 (Space Station repair and servicing mission), and was commander on STS-105 (Space Station crew rotation and servicing mission).

Horowitz is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, NASA Exceptional Service and Flight Medals, and Defense Meritorious Service and Superior Service Medals. Upon Horowitz’ retirement from NASA in 2004, Ken Bowersox said “Scott has made a huge contribution to NASA’s exploration effort.” In addition to his four shuttle missions. Bowersox noted that Horowitz led the Astronaut Office’s Advanced Projects Branch, which provided key technical input to NASA’s plan for exploration to the Moon and Mars.