Selected by NASA in January 1990, Dr. Thomas became an astronaut in July 1991. Dr. Thomas has served in the Safety, Operations Development, and Payloads Branches of the Astronaut Office. He was CAPCOM (spacecraft communicator) for Shuttle missions STS-47, 52 and 53. From July 1999 to June 2000 he was Director of Operations for NASA at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. A veteran of four space flights, STS-65, STS-70, STS-83 and STS-94, he has logged over 1,040 hours in space as a Mission Specialist.

Tara Sweeney owns a technology test and evaluation company that specializes in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive environments; owns a 3D-printing business that captures her artistry for designing and manufacturing gift shop quality items; is a member of a parabolic flight crew that conducts adventure flights, charter flights, and research flights in microgravity; and is a retired United States Air Force officer within the Air Force Special Operations Command. She holds degrees from the United States Air Force Academy, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Regis University. Tara enjoys the gift of private aviation, and is a proactive advocate for the importance of STEM/STEAM.