Mario Runco Jr.
Mario Runco Jr. is a former United States Navy officer, Earth and space scientist, and NASA astronaut who flew three shuttle missions.
- Born
- January 26, 1952
- Died
- N/A
- Birthplace
- The Bronx, New York,United States
Flights
3
Spacewalks
1
EVA time
4 hours, 28 minutes
In space
22 days, 23 hours, 8 minutes
Bio
Runco studied meteorology and physical science before serving as a Navy oceanographer and research officer. His scientific background carried into shuttle payload operations and Earth-observation work.
He flew STS-44, STS-54, and STS-77. His flights included Department of Defense work, Tracking and Data Relay Satellite deployment, Spacehab operations, and deployable payload experiments.
Runco's card shows him as a Navy scientist-astronaut with payload and Earth-science strengths, not just a three-flight shuttle listing.
STS-44 launched on November 24, 1991 aboard STS-44 flight stack, with Runco serving as . STS-54 launched on January 13, 1993 aboard STS-54 flight stack, with Runco serving as Mission Specialist. Runco's additional completed flights were STS-77. This mission context is drawn from the linked agency or institutional flight material and distinguishes flown service from training or backup assignments.