Portrait of Mario Runco
NASA

Mario Runco

Mario Runco is an astronaut who was born on January 26, 1952, in New York. Before he became an astronaut, Runco worked in meteorology and geophysics.

Runco became an astronaut in 1987. He has spent over 551 hours on 3 spacecraft.

Runco made his first spaceflight aboard STS-44 in 1991. This was a Department of Defense mission. In 1993, Runco flew aboard STS-54. He took a 5-hour spacewalk during this mission.

Runco made his third flight aboard STS-77 in 1996. Two satellites were deployed by the crew.


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