Robert Curbeam is a former NASA astronaut and a retired US Navy captain, with over 35 years of operational and industry experience in aerospace and defense. He is currently the Senior Vice President for Space Capture at Maxar Technologies.
During his 23-year naval career, Curbeam served as a Naval Flight Officer amassing over 3000 hours in numerous aircraft and spacecraft. He is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and the US Naval Test Pilot School. During his time in as an astronaut, he flew three spaceflights and completed seven spacewalks. He also served as a Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) and in various positions in the NASA Mission Assurance organization in the Astronaut Office, and at the Johnson Space Center and NASA Headquarters. His industry experience includes functional and profit and loss positions at ARES Corporation, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman.
Curbeam earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from
the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Degree of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.
He is chairman of the Board of Directors of the Challenger Centers for Space Science Education and a member of the Board of Directors of the Association for Naval Aviation. He is also a member of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and the Association of Old Crows.