Ken Cameron

Kenneth Cameron is a former NASA astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander, with a proven record of global leadership, teamwork and successful problem solving in unique high-stress environments. Cameron speaks on topics including quality control, zero-defect, the big picture ability to recognize potential problems.

Cameron was born in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was commissioned at Quantico, VA. Upon completion of the Officer's Basic Infantry Course and Vietnamese Language School, he was assigned to the Republic of Vietnam for a one-year tour of duty as an infantry platoon commander. Cameron is a decorated leader of 40 infantry Marines in mountain and jungle combat operations in South Vietnam. After his tour, he reported to Pensacola, Florida and received his naval aviator wings. Cameron was then reassigned to MIT, where he received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in aeronautics and astronautics. He most recently obtained his MBA from Michigan State University. Cameron has logged over 4,000 hours flying time in 48 different types of aircraft.

Among his many awards, Cameron has received the Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medical, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Navy Commendation Medal for Valor, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Unit Citation, and numerous professional awards.

Selected by NASA in May of 1984, Cameron entered the astronaut program as a pilot. During his 12-year career with NASA, he served as the first NASA Director of Operations in Star City, Moscow, where he worked with the Cosmonaut Training Center staff to set up a support system for astronaut operations and training in Star City. A veteran of three space flights, Cameron has logged over 561 hours in space. He served as pilot on STS-37 and commander on STS-56 and STS-74. His most recent space flight was STS-74, NASA's second Space Shuttle mission to rendezvous and dock with MIR, and the first mission to use the Shuttle to assemble a module and attach it to a Space Station.

In 1996, Cameron retired from NASA and the Marines and now works in Novi, Michigan, where he lives with his wife and family.