The City of Friendswood celebrated a momentous occasion on June 20, 2024, when Mayor Mike Foreman officially proclaimed the day as “Captain Stephen G. Bowen Day” in honor of the distinguished NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain. The proclamation, read by Mayor Foreman, himself a former astronaut, highlighted Captain Bowen’s significant contributions to space exploration and his service to the nation.
The proclamation detailed Captain Bowen’s impressive career, beginning with his early life and education. Born and raised in Cohasset, Massachusetts, Bowen graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
He furthered his education by earning a Master of Science in Ocean Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (MIT/WHOI) Joint Program.
In July 2000, Bowen achieved a historic first by becoming the first submarine officer selected by NASA as an astronaut. His space missions include STS-126, STS-132, and STS-133, where he played pivotal roles in delivering equipment and expanding the International Space Station (ISS).
Notably, STS-133 was the final mission for the space shuttle Discovery. Bowen’s most recent mission, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6, launched in March 2023.
Captain Bowen has logged 227 days in space across his four flights. His record includes 10 extravehicular activities (EVAs), totaling nearly 66 hours, placing him third on the all-time list for most EVA time.
His 10 EVAs tie him with fellow astronauts Mike Lopez-Alegria, Bob Behnken, Peggy Whitson, and Chris Cassidy for the most EVAs by a U.S. astronaut.
Captain Bowen resides in Friendswood, where he raised three kids with his wife, Deborah.
