Col. Kenneth D. Cameron (Ret.) built a remarkable dual career from the cockpit to the cosmos, first as a U.S. Marine Corps officer and test pilot, then as a NASA astronaut who logged more than 561 hours in space over three missions.
Before his astral adventures, the Cleveland native was already on an upward trajectory propelled by education and distinguished military service.
Cameron graduated from Rocky River High School in 1967 and enrolled in Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). However, he left two years later to enlist in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
Commissioned as a second lieutenant, the young serviceman shipped out to
Vietnam for a yearlong tour of duty as an infantry platoon commander. He later served with the Marine Security Guards, helping protect the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.
Returning to the States, Cameron landed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as an executive officer, and received flight training in Florida. After earning his naval aviator gold wings in 1973, he was assigned to an attack squadron flying A-4M Skyhawks.
His squadron tour over, Cameron returned to MIT and earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in aeronautics and astronautics in 1978 and 1979, respectively.
The next few years would find him flying with a Marine aircraft group in Japan and serving as a project pilot and test pilot.
In 1983, he graduated from the prestigious U.S. Navy Test Pilot School and went on to accrue more than 4,000 hours in 48 different types of aircraft.
Cameron blasts off with NASA
Cameron was selected by NASA in May 1984 and became an astronaut in 1985. His time there was defined by meaningful contributions to projects such as tethered satellite payload and launch support activities at Kennedy Space Center, among others.
His first mission as pilot aboard the space shuttle Atlantis in 1991 deployed the Gamma Ray Observatory, a tool that helped astrophysicists examine high-energy gamma ray sources across the universe.
Two years later, Cameron commanded a nine-day mission during which the crew of Discovery conducted studies to better understand the impact of solar activity on the Earth’s climate and environment.
In 1994, Cameron became NASA’s first director of operations in Star City, Moscow, where he helped set up a support system for astronaut operations and training, and received training in Russian spacecraft systems and aircraft.
On his final expedition in 1995, Cameron led Atlantis on NASA’s historic second docking mission with the Russian space station Mir, a milestone in international collaboration.
Making the leap from astronaut to autos
Cameron left NASA in August 1996, pivoting to a successful career in the private aerospace and automotive industries, taking high-ranking positions with General Motors and Hughes Training, Inc., a subsidiary of GM at the time.
While at Saab Automobile AB in Sweden, Cameron’s colleagues playfully dubbed him “Kalle Comet,” their reasons varying depending on the internet source.
The most consistent explanation points to Donald Duck - “Kalle Anka” in Sweden. Upon learning that Cameron’s middle name is Donald, his co-workers added “Comet” in homage to his astronaut career.
Cameron drawn back to NASA
In 2003, tragedy led Cameron back to NASA. Following the space shuttle Columbia disaster, he returned to the space program, playing a foundational role in the newly formed NASA Engineering and Safety Center.
After serving as the NESC’s deputy director of safety, Cameron transferred to the center’s office at Johnson Space Center in Houston, until leaving NASA a second time in December 2008 to join Northrop Grumman Corporation.
Cameron’s resume on LinkedIn shows that he returned to NASA a third time, from January 2011 to January 2017, serving various roles at Johnson Space Center.
Accolades abound for Cameron
Cameron's lengthy list of career honors includes such high-ranking decorations as the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross, the latter of which he received twice, putting him in such esteemed company as Charles A. Lindbergh.
Among numerous other prestigious awards, Cameron received the leadership medal, exceptional achievement medal and three space flight medals from NASA.
He was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 1993.
Now 76, Cameron is a public speaker who shares his experiences on a broad range of topics including STEM, space, military, technology, veterans, adventure and astronauts.
The Dispatch attempted to contact Cameron, but received no response.
Contact features and entertainment reporter Belinda M. Paschal at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio native Kenneth D. Cameron launched multiple careers with NASA
