Rex J. Walheim

Rex Joseph Walheim (born October 10, 1962) is a retired United States Air Force officer, engineer and NASA astronaut. He flew three Space Shuttle missions, STS-110, STS-122, and STS-135. Walheim logged over 566 hours in space, including 36 hours and 23 minutes of spacewalk (EVA) time. He was assigned as mission specialist and flight engineer on STS-135, the final Space Shuttle mission.

Early life Walheim was born in Redwood City, California, but considers San Carlos, California, his hometown.

During the inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C., Walheim marched in the parade carrying an American flag and wearing a prototype of NASA's next generation spacesuit.

STS-110 Walheim served as mission specialist 1 on STS-110. STS-110 delivered the S0 truss segment to the International Space Station (ISS). Walheim conducted two spacewalks to install the S0 truss and reconfigure Canadarm2 for use on S0, spending 14 hours and 15 minutes outside the ISS. STS-110 lasted 10 days, 19 hours, 43 minutes and 38 seconds.

STS-122 Walheim served as mission specialist 2 and was the flight engineer for STS-122. STS-122, which was a 12-day, 18-hour flight, delivered the European-built Columbus module to the ISS for the European Space Agency (ESA). Walheim conducted three spacewalks, totaling 22 hours and 8 minutes.

STS-135 Walheim served as mission specialist 2 on the final flight of the Space Shuttle, STS-135, a thirteen-day mission to the International Space Station. The mission launched on July 8, 2011, and landed on July 21. Walheim on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Atlantis during the STS-135 mission.

Rex Walheim retired from NASA August 2020.

Personal life Walheim is married to Margie Dotson, formerly of Villa Park, California. They have two children. He enjoys snow skiing, hiking, softball and football. His father, Lawrence M. Walheim, Jr., resides in Visalia, California. His mother, Avis L. Walheim, is deceased.

Awards and honors Distinguished Graduate, Reserve Officers Training Corps, University of California, Berkeley Distinguished Graduate and top flight test engineer in USAF Test Pilot School Class 92A Meritorious Service Medal Air Force Commendation Medals (2) Aerial Achievement Medal 20th member of the "Rex Streak" on the Jim Rome radio show. Rome dubbed him "King of the Rexes"