Commander Ethan Cole – NASA Astronaut#
Age (2045): 39
Mission Role: Commander (CDR)
Mission Responsibility: Overall Mission Leadership, Crew Safety, and Spacecraft Operations for Civitas‑E / Erebus 2
Education
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering, United States Naval Academy – emphasis on structural dynamics and vehicle integration.
- M.S. Aeronautical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – thesis on autonomous guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) for reusable crewed spacecraft.
Flight & Space Experience
- 15 years of high‑performance aviation, accumulating 1,250 hours total flight time (≈ 1,050 hours in F‑35 and other supersonic jets).
- Simulated shuttle landings: 800 landings; T‑38 trainer: > 750 hours, sharpening precision ascent/descent skills.
- Erebus 1: Served as Assistant Pilot to Commander Elliott Walker, executing rendezvous, docking, and payload‑release sequences while gaining hands‑on leadership experience.
- Artemis II: Pilot on the 14‑day lunar‑orbit test flight, responsible for primary vehicle control and crew coordination.
- ISS Expedition‑48: Flight Engineer for a 180‑day long‑duration stay, conducting on‑orbit maintenance, scientific operations, and emergency response drills.
Certifications & Specialized Training
- NASA Class I Space Physical – meets the highest physiological standards for launch, re‑entry, and EVA support.
- Advanced Shuttle Command Course – comprehensive training in vehicle systems, crew resource management, and abort procedures.
- Deep‑Space Habitat Operations Training – mastery of life‑support, radiation protection, and autonomous habitat management for lunar‑orbit and beyond missions.
- Leadership in EVA Procedures – recognized for developing streamlined EVA checklists and autonomous navigation algorithms used on Artemis II and ISS expeditions.
Mission‑Specific Responsibilities – Erebus 2 (Civitas‑E)
- Overall Mission Authority: Set mission objectives, approve flight‑plan revisions, and ensure crew safety throughout launch, on‑orbit operations, and re‑entry.
- Primary Flight Functions: Execute launch, ascent, orbital insertion, rendezvous, and de‑orbit burns, with real‑time decision‑making supported by Pilot Russell Smith (right‑hand PLT).
- Crew Resource Management: Lead daily briefings, coordinate cross‑functional activities among payload specialists, mission specialists, and ground control, fostering clear communication and situational awareness.
- Emergency Preparedness: Conduct pre‑flight hazard analyses, lead contingency drills (abort, depressurization, fire), and serve as the final authority for emergency response actions.
- Interface with Ground Teams: Liaise with Mission Director, Payload Commander Dr. Fiona Einhaus, and other stakeholders to synchronize scientific objectives with vehicle constraints.
Personal Note
Ethan attributes much of his leadership philosophy to Commander Elliott Walker, whose mentorship during Erebus 1 shaped his approach to crew safety and mission excellence. He looks forward to honoring Walker’s legacy while guiding the Erebus 2 crew to new milestones. With Pilot Russell Smith handling precise payload release and recovery, Ethan is confident the team will navigate the challenges of Civitas‑E with skill, composure, and a shared commitment to success.
