He launched with Shuttle Commander Alan Poindexter and Mission Specialists Richard Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Naoko Yamazaki from JAXA and Clay Anderson. STS-131 (April 5–20, 2010) was a resupply mission to the International Space Station performed by Space Shuttle Discovery. He served as Ascent and Entry CAPCOM for Space Shuttle mission STS-122 and STS-123.ĭutton was official assigned to his first space flight as pilot for STS-131 in December 2008.Īfter his flight, he served as Deputy Chief, Astronaut Office Shuttle Branch from August 2010 to August 2011 and then Chief of Astronaut Office Exploration Branch from August 2011 until his retirement from NASA in June 2012. Dutton was initially assigned to the Exploration Branch working on the development of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), latter named Orion. NASA Careerĭutton was selected by NASA as an Astronaut Candidate in May 2004 and received his astronaut pin (qualification) on Februwith his class mate of the Group 19th. Dutton has over 3,300 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft. He joined the F-22 Combined Test Force flying the Raptor with the 411th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, California, logging over 350 flight hours from August 2002 to June 2004.Īfter retiring from the US Air Force in 2014 as a Colonel. Dutton served with the 416th Flight Test Squadron flying the F-16 until June 2002. Air Force Test Pilot School (TPS) and graduated with the Class 00A (the "Dawgs") in December 2000. In May 1998, Dutton joined the 422d Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada, and flew operational test missions in the F-15C. During this time he was deployed over Iraq and flew over 100 combat hours providing air superiority in support of Operation Provide Comfort and Operation Northern Watch over northern Iraq. In 1995 Dutton undertook F-15C training at Tyndall AFB, Florida, then flew as an operational F-15C pilot with the 493d Fighter Squadron " Grim Reapers" at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, from October 1995 to May 1998. In 1993–1994, Dutton completed his master's degree at the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Dutton's pilot training was at Sheppard AFB, Texas. During this period he was a member of the intercollegiate Cadet Competition Flying Team.