Astronaut TERRY VIRTS grew up in Columbia, Maryland, outside of Baltimore. He wanted to be an astronaut ever since he read his first book about the Apollo missions when he was in kindergarten. He earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from the United States Air Force Academy in 1989, and a master of aeronautical science degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Selected by NASA in 2000, he was the pilot of STS-130 mission aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour. In March 2015, Virts assumed command of the International Space Station, and spent over 200 days on it. Virts is one of the stars of the new IMAX film, A Beautiful Planet, released in April 2016.
