Astronaut Robert D. Cabana has been named NASA’s
Director, Human Space Flight Programs, Russia, effective Aug.
8. He assumes this role at a time when the International
Space Station (ISS), while still under construction, has
become self-reliant, and larger and more capable than any
other space station in history.

Cabana will act as Deputy to both the ISS Program Manager and
the Director of the Johnson Space Center, Houston, with full
authority to represent both in all matters pertaining to NASA
human space flight activities in Russia.

Cabana replaces astronaut Michael A. Baker (Capt., USN) who
has served as head of the Moscow operation since its
inception in January 1998. At that time, the office was
formed to facilitate the transition from the Phase One
Shuttle-Mir program to the assembly and operation of the
International Space Station.

“Mike has done an outstanding job in coordinating NASA’s
operational efforts in Russia and provided leadership and
friendship to both the NASA team in Moscow and our Russian
colleagues,” said Roy Estess, Acting Director of the Johnson
Space Center. “We look forward to having him back in
Houston.”

As Director, Human Space Flight Programs, Russia, Cabana will
be NASA’s lead representative to the Russian Aviation and
Space Agency (Rosaviakosmos) and its contractors. His role is
to continue oversight of all human space flight operations,
logistics, and technical functions, including NASA’s mission
operations in Korolev and crew training at the Gagarin
Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City .

“I can think of no one better suited to continue the role
established by Mike Baker as the International Space Station
moved from dreams to reality,” said Estess. “The station has
reached another milestone with the delivery of the Airlock
Quest, and we are fortunate to have Bob lend his leadership
and space flight expertise to the program as it continues to
grow.”

Currently, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield
(Col., CAF) is serving as the Director of Operations, Russia,
overseeing training activities for astronauts in Star City.

“Bob’s leadership skills and experience provide an excellent
backbone for NASA’s partnership with our Russian colleagues,”
said Tommy Holloway, ISS Program Manager. “He has been a
great asset to the program as an interface with not only our
Russian colleagues, but with all the ISS International
Partners, and I am confident he will continue to do so,
albeit from another location.”

Cabana has flown four shuttle missions, including the first
assembly flight of the International Space Station, when
Endeavour delivered the Unity module and joined it to the
Zarya Control Module, the first component of the station
launched into orbit. Unity now serves as the attachment point
for both the U.S. Laboratory Destiny and the newest U.S.
element the Airlock Quest, as well as a shuttle docking port.
Cabana’s management roles have included Chief of the
Astronaut Office for three years during the Shuttle-Mir
Program and most recently Manager for International
Operations for the ISS Program.

Baker has flown four shuttle missions, including serving as
commander of Atlantis’ STS-81 mission in January 1997, the
fifth docking of a shuttle to the Mir Space Station. Prior to
that flight, Baker served as the NASA Director of Operations
at Star City from March to October 1995.

For additional information on Cabana, Baker, Hadfield or any
astronaut, visit the NASA Internet biography home page at:
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/

For more information on the International Space Station and
Space Shuttle Programs, tour the NASA human space flight web
site at:
http://www.station.nasa.gov