Williams, Jeffrey Nels (1958- …), is a United States astronaut known for his extensive career in space. Williams held the record for the longest amount of time in space by an American, at 534 days. He set the record in 2016 while working aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The record was later broken by astronaut Peggy Whitson in 2017.
Williams was selected to be an astronaut by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1996. On his first mission, in 2000, he flew aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. During the mission, Williams performed a 7-hour spacewalk to help construct the ISS. In 2006, he took part in a six-month mission to the ISS, in which he again worked outside the station in extravehicular activity (EVA). During his third spaceflight, from 2009 to 2010, he took part in two more missions on the ISS, serving as flight engineer and then as station commander. Williams has spent more than 30 hours in EVA.
Jeffrey Nels Williams was born on Jan. 18, 1958, in Superior, Wisconsin. He grew up in Winter, Wisconsin. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in applied science and engineering from the U.S. Military Academy in 1980. He became an Army aviator the following year. After serving a three-year tour, Williams continued his education at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, where he earned, in 1987, both a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering and the special degree of aeronautical engineer. In 1993, Williams graduated from the Naval Test Pilot School. In 1996, he earned a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Williams retired from the Army in 2007.
