William ShepherdStatus: Retired 7/26/1949 – Nationality: American Type: Government First Flight: 12/2/1988 Last Flight: 10/31/2000William McMichael “Bill” Shepherd is an American former Navy SEAL, aerospace, ocean, and mechanical engineer, and NASA astronaut who served as Commander of Expedition 1, the first crew on the International Space Station. He is also a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.LaunchesSpace Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-27Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-41Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-52Soyuz-U | Soyuz TM-31National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationType: Government Abbreviation: NASA Administration: Administrator: Jim Bridenstine Founded: 1958 Launchers: Space Shuttle | SLS Spacecraft: Orion Country: USAThe 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.