How Old Is Scott Kelly
Scott Kelly was born on February 21, 1964, making him a retired NASA astronaut and former U.S. Navy captain. His exact age is calculated from this birth date, and public records confirm he is currently in his early 60s. He is widely known for his long-duration spaceflights and his twin study with astronaut Mark Kelly, which NASA uses to understand the effects of microgravity on the human body NASA Johnson Space Center history page.
Kelly's career spans military service, test pilot work, and selection into NASA Astronaut Group 16 in 1996. He flew on four space missions, including STS-103, STS-118, Soyuz TMA-01M, and Soyuz TMA-16M/TMA-18M, with the latter involving a year aboard the International Space Station. His cumulative time in orbit is one of the longest for any American astronaut NASA Twins Study experiment page.
Scott Kelly's Record-Setting Year in Space
What Was the Year in Space Mission
The Year in Space mission began with Soyuz TMA-16M in March 2015 and ended with Soyuz TMA-18M in March 2016. During this time, Kelly lived and worked aboard the International Space Station, conducting experiments in biology, human physiology, and physical sciences. The mission was designed to gather data on how the human body adapts to extended periods of weightlessness, which is critical for planning future missions to the Moon and Mars NASA Twins Study experiment page.
Key Findings from the Mission
NASA reported changes in gene expression, telomere length, and cognitive performance during and after Kelly's year in space. Many of these changes returned to near baseline after his return to Earth, but some persisted, providing valuable data for long-duration human spaceflight. The results were published in multiple scientific papers and are referenced by researchers studying astronaut health NASA Twins Study experiment page.
Scott Kelly's Career After NASA
Post-NASA Activities and Public Appearances
After retiring from NASA in April 2016, Kelly has focused on advocacy for STEM education, space exploration, and public health. He has authored books, given lectures, and participated in interviews discussing the challenges and rewards of long-duration spaceflight. His public profile remains high, and he is frequently cited as an authority on human spaceflight and astronaut wellness Forbes interview with Scott Kelly.
Current Public and Media Presence
Kelly continues to appear in media, documentaries, and educational programs, where he discusses the future of human space exploration and the importance of international cooperation in space. His story is used to inspire new generations of scientists, engineers, and astronauts. Public interest in his age and career remains strong, driven by ongoing media coverage of NASA's Artemis program and commercial spaceflight developments