Kathryn C. Thornton

Kathryn Thornton
Born (1952-08-17) 17 August 1952
EducationAuburn University (BS)
University of Virginia (MS, PhD)
SpouseStephen Thornton
Space career
NASA astronaut
Time in space
40d 15h 14m
SelectionNASA Group 10 (1984)
Total EVAs
3
Total EVA time
21h, 11m
MissionsSTS-33
STS-49
STS-61
STS-73
Mission insignia

Kathryn Ryan Cordell Thornton (Born 17 August, 1952) is an American scientist and a former NASA astronaut with over 975 hours in space, including 21 hours of extravehicular activity. She was the associate dean for graduate programs at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science, as well as a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering before her retirement in 2019. She is now Professor Emerita.

Thornton was inducted in the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2010.