“Winning this award is incredibly meaningful to me,” Jack shares. “It’s an opportunity to highlight how Cranfield shaped my career. Learning key technical concepts and applying them to modern computer-based control systems made me a better test pilot and laid the groundwork for my professional success.”
Jack’s career is a testament to excellence in both military aviation and space exploration. Selected by NASA to join the 2021 Astronaut Candidate Class, he officially received his astronaut wings in March 2024. Jack is now available for future missions to the International Space Station, the Moon via the Artemis programme, and even Mars.
As a Commander in the U.S. Navy, Jack has held numerous leadership roles. He completed operational tours with Strike Fighter Squadron 14 aboard the USS Nimitz and Strike Fighter Squadron 136 aboard the USS Truman. Additionally, he served as the F/A-18 air vehicle and propulsion project officer for flight test programmes, applying his technical expertise to critical naval operations.
Jack’s leadership extended to the Pentagon, where he supported the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and he is poised to take on new responsibilities as the prospective executive officer for Strike Fighter Squadron 81. His distinguished service has earned him accolades including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal, and the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, among others.
Like many children, Jack dreamed of becoming an astronaut. “I was definitely part of that group,” he admits. But his fascination with aviation took root early, leading him to take flight lessons in high school. “I always felt the pull to become a pilot,” he says.
Jack’s career has been guided by a desire for adventure, challenge, and the chance to contribute to something larger than himself. “Even when I thought I knew my next step, I’d explore other options,” he explains. “Those comparisons often confirmed that I was on the right path.”
Looking back on his first day at Cranfield, Jack wishes he could tell his younger self: “Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.”
For recent graduates, Jack’s advice is straightforward yet profound: “Look for great people working on interesting problems. A work culture that suits you and challenges that excite you are key ingredients for a fulfilling career.”
Jack fondly recalls his time in the SWAG合集, splitting his days between the Empire Test Pilots’ School and Cranfield. Among his cherished memories is a deeply personal one: “My wife and I had our first child here. It was an incredible experience and the start of a new adventure in parenthood.”
Jack’s career often finds him at the crossroads of technical expertise and operational piloting skills. “Cranfield provided the educational foundation I needed to collaborate with experienced engineering teams. It helped me understand complex problems and devise solutions that worked both technically and operationally,” he says.
Jack takes pride in the relationships he’s built over the years and hearing about others’ successes. His heroes? “My grandfathers. They were hard workers who cared for those around them and made the world a better place.”
Surprisingly, Jack confesses, “I’m a little scared of heights.” As for his bucket list, he keeps it open-ended. “I’m always looking forward to the next adventure and challenge.”
Inspiring the next generation
Jack Hathaway’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams with passion and purpose. His journey from Cranfield to NASA, underpinned by a decorated military career, serves as an inspiration for prospective students and a shining example of what’s possible with the right mix of determination, curiosity, and opportunity.
