Mark Lewis "Roman"Polansky (born June 2, 1956, inPaterson, New Jersey) is an American aerospace engineer and research pilot and a formerNASAastronaut. Polansky received the nickname "Roman" as a joke, because he shares a last name with directorRoman Polanski. He flew on threeSpace Shuttle missions:STS-98,STS-116, andSTS-127 and was first person of Korean ancestry in space.^[1]

Mark Polansky
Polansky in January 2001
Born	Mark Lewis Polansky (1956-06-02)June 2, 1956 (age 68) Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
Other names	Roman
Education	Purdue University (BS,MS)
Space career
NASA astronaut
Time in space	41d 10h 50m
Selection	NASA Group 16 (1996)
Missions	STS-98 STS-116 STS-127
Mission insignia

Polansky's father, Irving, wasJewish. His mother, Edith, is originally from Hawaii and is ofKorean descent.^[1] Polansky was raised as a Jew, and honored his father's heritage by taking a teddy bear from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum along for the ride onSTS-116.^[2] He is married and has two kids^[3] — one daughter and one son.

Polansky graduated fromJ. P. Stevens High School,Edison, New Jersey, in 1974, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, and a Master of Science degree in aeronautics and astronautics, fromPurdue University, both in 1978.^[4]

Polansky received an Air Force commission upon graduation from Purdue University in 1978.^[5] He earned his pilot wings in January 1980 atVance AFB,Oklahoma. From 1980 to 1983, he was assigned toLangley AFB, Virginia, where he flew theF-15 aircraft. In 1983, Polansky transitioned to theF-5E aircraft and served as an Aggressor Pilot, where he trained tactical aircrews to defeat enemy aircraft tactics. He was assigned in this capacity to Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, andNellis AFB, Nevada, until he was selected to attend USAF Test Pilot School,Edwards AFB, California, in 1986. Upon graduation, he was assigned toEglin AFB, Florida, where he conducted weapons and systems testing in the F-15,F-15E, andA-10 aircraft. Polansky left active duty in 1992 to pursue a career at NASA. He has logged over 5,000 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft.^[6]

Polansky joined NASA in August 1992, as an aerospace engineer and research pilot. He was assigned to the Aircraft Operations Division of theJohnson Space Center. His primary responsibilities involved teaching the astronaut pilotsSpace Shuttle landing techniques in the Shuttle Trainer Aircraft and instructing astronaut pilots and mission specialists in theT-38 aircraft. Polansky also conducted flight testing of the NASA T-38 avionics upgrade aircraft.^[6]

Selected by NASA in April 1996, Polansky reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. Having completed two years of training and evaluation, he was initially assigned as a member of the Astronaut Support Personnel team at the Kennedy Space Center, supporting Space Shuttle launches and landings. He served as pilot onSTS-98 (2001) and has logged over 309 hours in space. He was next assigned as aCAPCOM. Polansky was Chief of the CAPCOM Branch from April 2002 to December 2002. He served as Chief Instructor Astronaut from April 2003 to January 2004. He has also served as Chief of the Return to Flight and Orbiter Repair Branches. Polansky's last shuttle flight as commander of MissionSTS-127, an assembly flight to theInternational Space Station.^[6]

Polansky retired from the Astronaut Corps on June 30, 2012.^[6] "Mark is a remarkably talented individual," saidPeggy Whitson,Chief of the Astronaut Office. "His skills as an aviator coupled with his engineering expertise were a valuable contribution to our team. We wish him well in his future endeavors."^[7]

The STS-98 crew continued the task of building and enhancing theInternational Space Station by delivering the U.S.Destiny Laboratory Module. The Shuttle spent seven days docked to the station while Destiny was attached and three spacewalks were conducted to complete its assembly. The crew also relocated a docking port, and delivered supplies and equipment to the residentExpedition 1 crew. Mission duration was 12 days, 21 hours, 20 minutes.^[8]

The seven-member crew on this 12-day mission continued construction of the ISS outpost by adding theP5 Truss Segment during the first of four spacewalks. The next two spacewalks rewired the station's power system, preparing it to support the addition of European and Japanese science modules by future shuttle crews. The fourth spacewalk was added to allow the crew to coax and retract a stubborn solar panel to fold up accordion-style into its box. Discovery also delivered a new crew member and more than two tons of equipment and supplies to the station. Almost two tons of items no longer needed on the station returned to Earth with STS-116. Mission duration was 12 days, 20 hours and 45 minutes.^[9]

Polansky was the commander of theSTS-127 mission, which launched aboardSpace Shuttle Endeavour on July 15, 2009, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During this 16-day mission, the seven-member crew installed the Japanese Exposed Facility onto the ISS, and performed five spacewalks. Polansky returned to Earth with his crew on July 31, 2009.^[10] Following fellow astronautMichael J. Massimino's lead, Mark began posting public updates and replies toTwitter on May 7, 2009, during his training for STS-127, and continued to do so throughout the mission.^[11]

Member of theSociety of Experimental Test Pilots,American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and theAircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School (1987). Distinguished Graduate of USAFUndergraduate Pilot Training (1980). Recipient of the USAF Flying Training Award (1980). AwardedAir Force Meritorious Service Medal andAir Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.

In his hometown of Edison, NJ, a park is named for him on Grove Ave., across the street from his alma mater ofJ. P. Stevens High School.^[12] Recently in June 2006 the township officials unveiled a sign for Mark Polansky Park while his friends and family were there with him for this presentation. He frequently returns to Edison for programs at the local library for the kids.

• List of Asian American astronauts

  This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theNational Aeronautics and Space Administration.

• Mark Polansky onTwitter 
• NASA Shuttle Pilot is Korean-American