Vignette 35: Launching space research

Dr Andy Thomas AO made history as the Australian in space as a NASA astronaut. 

Born in Adelaide in 1951, he studied mechanical engineering at the University, graduating in 1973 with Honours. In 1978 he was awarded his PhD from the University. 

After graduating, Thomas moved to the United States, initially as a research scientist at Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company, before moving to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as leader of their NASA sponsored research program.

In 1992, he was selected for astronaut training, and a year later was appointed a member of the astronaut corps. Thomas took his first flight into space in May 1996 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. During his career as an astronaut, he completed four space flights, including a spacewalk and 20 weeks on the Russian MIR Space Station. 

Thomas remains deeply engaged with the University, contributing to the Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources. The Centre combines the University’s research strengths in exploration, mining, manufacturing, and engineering to address challenges in long-term planetary exploration.

Named in his honour, the Andy Thomas Scholarship supports students pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering and recognises academic excellence. Candidates are evaluated on their academic merit and their contributions to the community and to the field.

The University of Adelaide: 150 Years of Making History.  Nurturing excellence. p.55