# Timothy Kopra

> American astronaut

**Wikidata**: [Q440303](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q440303)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Kopra)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/timothy-kopra

## Summary

Timothy Lennart Kopra is an American astronaut and former aircraft pilot who served as a crew member on International Space Station Expedition 46. Born on April 9, 1963, he is a decorated military pilot who has received numerous awards including the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit, and NASA's Distinguished Service Medal. Kopra is part of NASA Astronaut Group 18 (selected in 2000) and has contributed to space exploration missions representing the United States internationally.

## Biography

- **Born**: April 9, 1963
- **Nationality**: American (United States)
- **Education**: United States Military Academy (West Point); United States Army War College; Georgia Tech; London Business School; Columbia Business School; United States Naval Test Pilot School
- **Known for**: Service as NASA astronaut; International Space Station Expedition 46 crew member; military aviation leadership
- **Employer(s)**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); United States Military Academy; United States Army
- **Field(s)**: Space exploration; Military aviation; Aerospace engineering

## Contributions

Timothy Kopra's career spans military service and space exploration. As a NASA astronaut, he participated in Expedition 46 to the International Space Station, contributing to ongoing human spaceflight operations. His military background includes service as an aircraft pilot with multiple decorations recognizing his achievements. Kopra has held positions at several prestigious institutions including the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Army War College, Georgia Tech, and the United States Naval Test Pilot School. He also pursued advanced business education at Columbia Business School and London Business School, demonstrating a commitment to broad professional development across technical and leadership domains.

## FAQs

**What is Timothy Kopra known for?**
Timothy Kopra is known for his service as a NASA astronaut, particularly his participation in Expedition 46 to the International Space Station. He is a former military aircraft pilot with extensive experience in aviation.

**What awards has Timothy Kopra received?**
Kopra has received numerous military and space-related awards including the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Space Flight Medal, and Russia's Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration."

**What is Timothy Kopra's educational background?**
Kopra attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Army War College, Georgia Tech, the United States Naval Test Pilot School, Columbia Business School, and London Business School.

**When was Timothy Kopra selected as a NASA astronaut?**
Kopra was selected as part of NASA Astronaut Group 18 in the year 2000.

**What military service background does Timothy Kopra have?**
Kopra served as an aircraft pilot in the United States military and attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School, one of the premier test pilot schools in the world.

## Why They Matter

Timothy Kopra represents the intersection of military aviation excellence and human spaceflight. His selection as a NASA astronaut in 2000 and subsequent participation in ISS Expedition 46 demonstrates the pathway from military service to space exploration that characterizes many NASA astronaut careers. The awards he has received—including the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit, and Defense Superior Service Medal—indicate significant contributions to military operations beyond simple pilot duties. His education at institutions like West Point, the Army War College, and multiple business schools shows the comprehensive leadership development that characterizes successful astronauts. As an American astronaut, Kopra contributes to the United States' continued leadership in space exploration, a domain of significant national and scientific importance.

## Notable For

- NASA Astronaut (selected in 2000 as part of Astronaut Group 18)
- Expedition 46 crew member aboard the International Space Station
- Recipient of the Russian Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration"
- Multiple advanced degrees including MBA from Columbia Business School and London Business School
- Graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School
- Extensive military aviation career with multiple decorations
- Active social media presence (@astro_tim on Twitter, @kopra-tl on Instagram)

## Body

### Early Life and Education

Timothy Lennart Kopra was born on April 9, 1963. His educational path began at the United States Military Academy at West Point, one of the most prestigious military academies in the world, established in 1802. Following his graduation from West Point, Kopra pursued advanced military education at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, which was founded in 1901. He also attended Georgia Tech, a major public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, established in 1885. To further his professional development, Kopra attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School, the premier institution for training test pilots in the United States, founded in 1945. He also pursued business education at Columbia Business School (established 1916) and London Business School (established 1964), demonstrating a commitment to leadership development beyond purely technical training.

### Military Career

Kopra served as an aircraft pilot in the United States military, accumulating significant flight experience and earning multiple decorations for his service. His training at the United States Naval Test Pilot School positioned him among elite military aviators qualified to test and evaluate aircraft systems. The Bronze Star Medal, which he received, is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement or service in a combat zone. The Air Medal recognizes aerial flight achievement, while the Legion of Merit is one of the highest military awards granted to officers. The Meritorious Service Medal recognizes exceptional achievement or service, and the Defense Superior Service Medal acknowledges superior performance of duties. These awards collectively indicate a distinguished military career with significant contributions to aviation and military operations.

### NASA Career

Selected as part of NASA Astronaut Group 18 in 2000, Kopra joined the ranks of astronauts chosen for the International Space Station era. His assignment to Expedition 46 represented a culmination of years of training and preparation. Expedition 46 was the 46th expedition to the International Space Station, continuing the ongoing human presence in low Earth orbit that began in 2000. As part of this mission, Kopra contributed to the scientific research, maintenance, and operations aboard the orbiting laboratory. His work supported the international collaboration that characterizes the ISS program, involving partnerships among multiple space agencies including NASA, Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada).

### International Recognition

Kopra's contributions to space exploration earned him recognition beyond the United States. He received the Medal "For Merit in Space Exploration," a state medal of the Russian Federation established in 2010. This award reflects the international nature of space cooperation and acknowledges his role in the collaborative effort to maintain and operate the International Space Station. The Russian Federation's recognition of Kopra's work highlights the diplomatic and cooperative aspects of human spaceflight, where astronauts from different nations work together toward common scientific and exploration goals.

### Professional Affiliations and Current Activities

Throughout his career, Kopra has been affiliated with multiple prestigious institutions. His connection to the United States Military Academy extends beyond his education, as he has served as faculty or in administrative capacities at West Point. His business education at Columbia Business School and London Business School positioned him for leadership roles beyond technical positions. His presence on social media platforms, including Twitter (@astro_tim) and Instagram (@kopra-tl), demonstrates engagement with public outreach and science communication, important aspects of the astronaut profession. The Wikipedia article on Timothy Kopra (sitelink count: 33) indicates moderate public recognition, while his various online identifiers across platforms reflect his digital presence.

### Legacy and Significance

Timothy Kopra represents the modern astronaut career path that combines military excellence with advanced technical and leadership education. His participation in ISS Expedition 46 contributed to the continuous human presence in space that enables scientific research impossible on Earth. The international recognition he received, including the Russian Medal for Merit in Space Exploration, demonstrates the cooperative nature of contemporary space exploration. His multiple advanced degrees from institutions including military academies, technical universities, and business schools illustrate the diverse skill set required of senior space professionals. As an American astronaut, Kopra contributes to the United States' position as a leader in space exploration, building on the legacy of Apollo and continuing the work aboard the International Space Station that advances human knowledge in fields ranging from materials science to biology to Earth observation.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/kopra-tl.html)
2. [Timothy L. Kopra (Colonel, U.S. Army, Ret.) NASA Astronaut. 2016](https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/timothy-l-kopra/biography)
3. [Source](http://static.kremlin.ru/media/events/files/41d36902b985e69bfeb8.pdf)
4. [Source](https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/Agency_Awards_Historical_Recipient_List.pdf?rhid=1000&did=2120817&type=released)
5. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/kopra-tl.pdf)
6. [Source](https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2024/06/24/4cbbe799/kopra-t.pdf)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Google Knowledge Graph
9. [Timothy Kopra | Military Wiki | Fandom](https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Timothy_Kopra)
10. [(5) Tim Kopra | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kopra/)