Thomas D. Jones, PhD is a veteran NASA astronaut, scientist, speaker, author, and consultant. He holds a doctorate in planetary sciences, and in more than eleven years with NASA, flew on four space shuttle missions to Earth orbit. On his last flight, Jones led three spacewalks to install the centerpiece of the International Space Station, the American Destiny laboratory. He has spent fifty-three days working and living in space.
Jones is a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He piloted B-52D strategic bombers, studied asteroids for NASA, engineered intelligence-gathering systems for the CIA, and helped develop advanced mission concepts to explore the solar system prior to joining NASA’s astronaut corps.
Jones' latest title is Planetology (written with Ellen Stofan), a beautiful look at the solar system from National Geographic. He also authored Hell Hawks!(with Robert F. Dorr; Zenith Press), a true story of an aerial band of brothers in WWII. The Wall Street Journal named his Sky Walking: An Astronaut's Memoir (Smithsonian-Collins, 2006) as one of its "Five Best" books about space. Tom writes frequently for Air & Space Smithsonian, Aerospace America, Popular Mechanics, and American Heritage magazines.
Jones’ awards include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, four NASA Space Flight Medals, the NASA Exceptional Service Award, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, Phi Beta Kappa, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. King's College of Wilkes-Barre, Penn. awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2007.
Jones is a consultant to NASA and the aerospace industry, and serves on the board of the Association of Space Explorers. He appears frequently as an expert commentator during television coverage of spaceflight events, and is currently active in the policy debate over our nation's future in space.
Praise for Thomas D. Jones:
“We have had continuing comments ever since the Summit regarding your presentation. Everyone thought that it was absolutely fantastic and just perfect for our audience.Every year we try to top previous year’s -this one was unstoppable- how’s that for a new word?"
-- Kay Farrell President/CEO, National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter
“I observed the audience during your presentation and they were sitting there in awe. It is fantastic to know they were very pleased and we heard from many attendees who said, this was the best awards luncheon we had ever had."
-- Lori Riggs, CMP, Director, Conferences & Special Events, National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter
"My husband and I enjoyed your talks beyond all others! We were on our 3rd 'Grand Voyage', hence dozens of speakers and your delivery beat them all. Of course, your first-hand subject matter is what drew us in. Thanks for making that part of the voyage so memorable."
-- Shirley Schlegel, passenger on the MS Amsterdam, Holland America Lines