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WATCH: Former NASA Astronaut Col. Brian Duffy, USAF (Ret.) Talks with Steve Wilson at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

By  //  February 24, 2026

Duffy Flew Aboard Four Space Shuttle Missions

WATCH: Steve Wilson recently sat down and talked with former NASA astronaut and member of the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, Col. Brian Duffy, USAF (Ret.). Duffy flew aboard four space shuttle missions, STS-45 Atlantis, STS-57 Endeavor, STS-72 Endeavor and STS-92 Discovery.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – It is not every day that I can sit down and talk with a former NASA astronaut and member of the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, but that is exactly what happened when I recently met and talked with Col. Brian Duffy, USAF (Ret.). Duffy flew aboard four space shuttle missions, STS-45 Atlantis, STS-57 Endeavor, STS-72 Endeavor and STS-92 Discovery.

Duffy grew up near a Naval Air Station and told me how impressed he was with the precision flying of the Blue Angels. As a high school student, he made the decision to attend the Air Force Academy.  His hope was to become a fighter pilot. He did that, and much more!

When talking about flying, Duffy told me that after pilot training, “I got an F-15 assignment and just loved it. It was the hottest airplane of the day!” After flying F-15s for several years, he eventually became the Director of F-15 Flight Test at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Duffy loved his time in Florida. He smiled when he told me, “Life was good. I was flying Eagles (F-15s), dropping bombs, shooting missiles, playing golf, eating oysters and raising babies. What more can you want?”

STS045-02-020 (24 March-2 April 1992) — Brian Duffy, STS-45 pilot, struggles with a large volume of data printouts from the teleprinter system. He is seated at the commander’s station on the flight deck of the Earth-orbiting Atlantis during the nine-day mission. This frame was taken with a 35mm camera. (NASA image)

When NASA posted an announcement about recruiting space shuttle pilots, Duffy said, “To me it sounded like the ultimate test pilot job.” He called his time as a NASA astronaut, “pretty amazing.” He was the pilot on STS-45 Atlantis and STS-57 Endeavor. Duffy later commanded STS-72 Endeavor and STS-92 Discovery.

Duffy retired from the Air Force and NASA in 2001. His accolades are many, including his induction into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2016.

Col. Brian Duffy, USAF (Ret.) and former NASA astronaut, is a true American hero. His high-level skill and immense bravery while exploring space and advancing scientific knowledge must not be overlooked.

He is one of the best of the best!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: STEVE WILSON

Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports and the space industry, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.