Rex Walheim

A veteran of three spaceflights as well as the United States Air Force, Rex Walheim is today Axiom’s Director of Safety & Mission Assurance. As a NASA astronaut, he logged more than 36 hours on five spacewalks and more than 36 days in space during STS-110 in 2002, STS-122 in 2008, and STS-135 – the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011.

Following his flying days and prior to his retirement from NASA in 2020, he served sequentially as Chief of the Exploration Branch of the Astronaut Office; Assistant Director for Operations for the Flight Operations Directorate; and Deputy Director of Safety & Mission Assurance at the Johnson Space Center. His other experience over a distinguished NASA career included CAPCOM in the Mission Control Center, Chief of the Spacewalking branch, and the astronaut representative to the Orion Program.

Rex received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Science in industrial engineering from the University of Houston. He has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Aerial Achievement Medal.