Brian Duffy Status: Retired 6/20/1953 – Nationality: American Type: Government First Flight: 3/24/1992 Last Flight: 10/11/2000 Brian Duffy is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and a former NASA astronaut. He flew aboard four Space Shuttle missions. National Aeronautics and Space Administration – USA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA have many launch facilities but most are inactive. The most commonly used pad will be LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.