Why Do So Many Astronauts Come From Ohio?

Wapakoneta, OH — When it comes to astronauts, the State of Ohio really does take the prize for having some of the top stars. Pioneering astronauts like John Glenn, Jim Lovell, and Neil Armstrong have all called the Buckeye State their home at some point. Other Ohio shuttle astronauts like Judith Resnik, Greg H. Johnson, and Sunita Williams have all made names for themselves, breaking records and making history. But what about Ohio produces so many astronauts? The explanation lies in a mix of history, culture, opportunity, and... a touch of clever marketing.

Ohio astronauts by the numbers (it's complicated)

First, exactly how many astronauts are considered to be from Ohio? The answer is more complicated than it seems. One challenge is the distinction between an astronaut’s "birthplace" and their "hometown." According to NASA records and the FAA, 26 astronauts list an Ohio town as their hometown, though not all of them were actually born in the state. These astronauts have simply identified an Ohio community as the place they consider home.

Another complication is that some Ohio organizations recognize certain astronauts as 'honorary Ohioans,' or individuals who were neither born nor raised in Ohio but later chose to live there, often after their NASA careers. For example, Guy Bluford, the first African American in space, settled in Ohio following his time as an astronaut. There's also the interesting case of astronaut Kevin Kregel, who was on STS-70, the "All-Ohio" mission. Kregel, a New York-native with no ties to Ohio, was made an "honorary Ohioan" through executive proclamation by then-Ohio Governor George Voinovich for the mission.

A recent challenge in space exploration is the surge of privately funded missions. Companies like Axiom Space, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic have launched numerous flights carrying commercial astronauts and private individuals, with durations ranging from 10 minutes to several weeks. These missions have prompted agencies to reconsider what defines an "astronaut" versus a "spaceflight participant" or "space tourist." In 2022, Ohio real estate developer Larry Connor spent 17 days in space on Axiom-1, the first fully private mission to the International Space Station. Serving as mission pilot and participating in multiple research experiments, Connor met the FAA’s updated criteria for a ‘commercial astronaut.’ Conversely, in May 2025, Ohioan Paul Jeris crossed the Kármán line aboard Blue Origin’s NS-32 mission, but since there was no scientific or public benefit, FAA standards classify him and the crew as space tourists.

All of this considered, the most commonly accepted answer is that 26 astronauts are from Ohio.

Ohio's history as the birthplace of aviation

The first major factor contributing to Ohio's astronaut production is its rich history in aviation. The Buckeye State is widely recognized as the birthplace of modern flight, thanks to Dayton natives Orville and Wilbur Wright, whose early work and experiments in Ohio at Huffman Prairie created the world’s first airfield. But Ohio’s aviation heritage goes far beyond the Wright brothers. Throughout the early 20th century, the state produced a remarkable roster of pioneering pilots who helped shape America’s aviation identity. Frank Lahm of Mansfield became the first U.S. Army officer to fly in an aircraft in 1908 and later earned the distinction of being the first military officer to receive official pilot wings. Eddie Rickenbacker of Columbus emerged as a national hero during World War I, becoming America’s most decorated and successful fighter pilot. These early aviation leaders cemented Ohio’s reputation as a hub for innovation in the sky and laid the cultural foundation that inspired further generations of pilots, engineers, and ultimately, astronauts.

A rich tradition of military service

One common thread among astronauts is military service, a legacy established in the early days of NASA when prerequisites for astronaut candidates heavily favored test pilots, a skill set virtually exclusive to the armed forces. Ohio's contribution to the nation's military legacy is deep-rooted, tracing its heritage all the way back to the Civil War, where it contributed the third-highest number of troops to the Union. Today, the state's service record is evident with it being in the top 10 states for the total number of military veterans. For Ohio astronauts, a wide majority of them have some sort of military background.