Who Is Scott Kelly (astronaut)? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on February 21, 1964, Scott Kelly is a celebrated American engineer and astronaut, best known for his long-duration space missions. As of 2025, Scott is 61 years old and continues to inspire future generations of astronauts and engineers with his remarkable journey. He made headlines for his record-setting year in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS), which provided crucial research data on the effects of long-term space habitation on the human body.
Scott's biography reflects not just a successful career in NASA but also a profound interest in space exploration, environmental advocacy, and science communication. Read more about him on his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Astronaut |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 21, 1964 |
| Age | 61 Years |
| Birth Place | Orange, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | Jersey |
Popularity
Scott Kelly (astronaut)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Scott Kelly stands tall at 6 feet (183 cm) and has a weight of approximately 185 lbs (84 kg). While details about his body measurements are not widely shared, as an astronaut, he maintains a fit physique, which is essential for the rigorous physical demands of space missions.
After completing his assignment as a back-up member for ISS Expedition 5 in 2002, Kelly was assigned as commander of STS-118 aboard Endeavour. After the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, STS-118 was delayed until August 2007. STS-118 launched on August 8, 2007.
During the launch, the orbiter was struck by nine pieces of foam from the external tank just as Columbia had been on its final, fatal mission. The underside of Endeavour was examined by cameras on the robotic arm and the ISS, and was assessed to not be dangerously damaged. The Shuttle successfully docked with the ISS on August 10.
Endeavour's crew successfully added a truss segment, an external spare-parts platform, and a control moment gyroscope to the ISS. The mission was extended to 14 days while testing a new system that enabled docked shuttles to draw electrical power from the station. During the mission, four EVAs to install the new equipment were completed.
The mission was ended a day early because of the approach of Hurricane Dean towards Houston. STS-118 completed 201 orbits, and landed on August 21, 2007, at the Kennedy Space Center, after 12 days, 17 hours, 55 minutes, and 34 seconds.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Scott Kelly has a well-documented family life. He has a twin brother, Mark Kelly, who is also an astronaut and a prominent political figure. As for his dating life, Scott was previously married to Astronaut and Navy Captain Amiko Kauderer, but they divorced in 2016. He has two daughters, which he often mentions during interviews.
As of 2025, Scott remains privately single, focusing primarily on his professional ventures and advocacy work rather than dating or long-term relationships.
Kelly's family lived in West Orange, where his parents worked as police officers. Kelly and his brother graduated from West Orange Mountain High School (New Jersey) in 1982. While in high school, Kelly worked as an emergency medical technician in Orange and Jersey City, New Jersey.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Scott Kelly's estimated net worth is around $1 million. His impressive income primarily stems from his successful career as an astronaut, where he earned a competitive salary during his tenure at NASA. In addition to his government salary, Scott has also engaged in public speaking, book deals, and consultancy, adding to his overall earnings.
Career, Business and Investments
Scott Kelly’s career trajectory is nothing short of remarkable. He joined NASA in 1996, and over the years, he has flown several missions, including STS-103 and Expedition 26 to 29, and eventually serving as the commander of the ISS for the year-long mission, Increment 43/44.
Post-NASA, Scott has become a notable public figure advocating for space exploration and scientific education. He authored the memoir "Endurance: A Year in Space, a Lifetime of Discovery," which has garnered much acclaim. In addition to writing, he participates in various speaking engagements and has also invested in projects focused on technology and space research.
After graduating from high school, Kelly enrolled at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. During his first year, Kelly read The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe, and was inspired to pursue a career in naval aviation.
After his first year, Kelly transferred to State University of New York Maritime College, where he received a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (Navy ROTC) scholarship. During the summer after his first year, Kelly sailed aboard SUNY Maritime's training ship, Empire State V, and stopped in Mallorca, Hamburg, and London.
After his second year, Kelly sailed again on Empire State V. He served as the student battalion commander for his school's Navy ROTC detachment, and graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in electrical engineering in 1987. Kelly later earned a Master of Science degree in aviations systems from the University of Tennessee.
Social Network
Scott Kelly is active on social media platforms, where he shares insights about space, science, and his personal experiences. His significant social media presence includes:
- Twitter: @StationCDRKelly - Kelly regularly tweets about science education, space missions, and his adventures.
- Instagram: @ScottKelly - His Instagram features stunning images from space, personal moments, and advocacy work.
Education
Scott holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master of Science in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee. His strong educational background laid the foundation for his successful career as an astronaut and engineer.
After graduation, Kelly was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy. He completed his initial flight school at NAS Pensacola, where he flew the T-34 Mentor propeller driven trainer plane, after which he was selected to fly jets.
In 1988, he moved to Beeville, Texas, for jet training Naval Air Station Chase Field, where he trained on the T-2 Buckeye and the A-4 Skyhawk. He graduated as a naval aviator in 1989, and was assigned to fly the F-14 Tomcat. He reported to VF-101 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, for initial F-14 training.
Upon completion of this training in September 1990, he was assigned to VF-143, and deployed to the North Atlantic and Persian Gulf aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69).
