The Association of Space Explorers (ASE) is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) professional and educational organization of over 400 flown astronauts and cosmonauts from 36 nations. Founded in 1985, ASE’s mission is to provide a forum for professional dialogue among individuals who have flown in space; to promote the benefits of space science and exploration; to promote education in science and mathematics and inspire students at all levels; to foster environmental awareness; and to encourage international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.

Rhodium Scientific nationally provides commercialization support, R&D consulting and facility management services to government, academic, early stage and establised entities within the life science industry. Rhodium's business model is built on industry standards, process improvement, and technical partnerships. This provides clients access to deep subject matter expertise and innovative approachs when resolving or enhancing core operations, products, and protocols.

RD AMROSS, LLC is a U.S. joint venture between United Technologies Corp - Pratt & Whitney of West Palm Beach, Florida and NPO Energomash of Khimki, Russia and is based in Cocoa Beach, Florida. It markets the RD-180 liquid propulsion rocket engine for NPO Energomash. The RD-180 provides the main thrust on the Atlas V Launch Vehicle made by United Launch Alliance. NPO Energomash manufactures the RD-180 engine and provides design, manufacturing, testing, and other services for liquid propulsion rocket engines. Pratt & Whitney provides manufacturing, mission engineering, and management support and is licensed to produce the RD-180 in the U. S.

Managed and coordinated NASA participation in Russian Soyuz launch and landing operations.Responsible for coordinating program implementation with the International Partners.Managed program operations, integration and flight crew training and support activities.Key member of team negotiating agreement with Russians for provision of services to support ISS.

Selected by NASA in June 1985, Baker became an astronaut in July 1986 upon completion of a one-year training and evaluation program.Following the Challenger accident, from January 1986 to December 1987, Baker was assigned as a member of the team that was pursuing redesign, modification and improvements to the Shuttle Landing and Deceleration Systems, including nosewheel steering, brakes, tires, and drag chute, in an effort to provide greater safety margins during landing and rollout.He was then assigned to the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), where he was involved in the checkout and verification of the computer software and hardware interfaces for STS-26 (the return-to-flight mission) and subsequent flights.Baker then served as an ascent, entry and orbit spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for STS-27, STS-29, STS-30, STS-28, STS-34, STS-33, STS-32, STS-36, STS-31, STS-38, and STS-35. In this capacity his duties included communication with the Shuttle crew during simulations and actual missions, as well as working procedural problems and modifications between missions. He served as the leader of the Astronaut Support Personnel team at the Kennedy Space Center for Shuttle Missions STS-44, STS-42 and STS-45. From December 1992 to January 1994 he was assigned as the Flight Crew Operations Directorate Representative to the Space Shuttle Program Office.A veteran of four space flights, Baker has logged 965 hours in space. He served as pilot on STS-43 (August 2-11, 1991) and STS-52 (October 22 to November 1, 1992), and was the mission commander on STS-68 (September 30 to October 11, 1994) and STS-81 (January 12-22, 1997).

Responsible for implementation and integration of NASA’s Human space flight programs in Russia. Those activities included International Space Station (ISS) training, operations, technical liaison, logistics and personnel administration support. He also served as the NASA JSC representative to the Russian Space Agency, Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City; Mission Control Center-Moscow, Energia Rocket and Spacecraft Corporation, Krunichev State Scientific and Production Space Center and other Russian government agencies and manufacturers involved in the ISS program.

He has logged over 5,400 hours flying time in approximately 50 different types of airplanes, including tactical jets, VSTOL, multi-engine transport and rotary wing aircraft, and has over 300 carrier landings to his credit.

Assigned as the U.S. Navy exchange instructor at the Empire Test Pilots School in Boscombe Down, England, teaching performance, flying qualities and systems flight test techniques.

Taught performance, flying qualities and systems flight test techniques.

Conducted carrier suitability structural tests, aircraft carrier catapult and arresting gear certification tests, and automatic carrier landing system certification and verification tests on the various aircraft carriers of the Navy’s fleet in the A-7 aircraft.Assigned as the Maintenance Officer of the Attack Aircraft Division responsible for 40 personnel, five A-7E and three A-6E aircraft.

Assigned to Carrier Air Wing 30 as the air wing landing signal officer and safety officer.

Served as the Director of Operations for NASA at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. He was responsible for the coordination and implementation of mission operation activities in the Moscow region for the joint U.S./Russian Shuttle/Mir program.

Initial attack pilot tour of duty in the A-7E Corsair. Forward deployed for 2 years and 8 months embarked in USS Midway home ported in Yokosuka, Japan. Made three Indian Ocean cruises for contingency operations. Squadron duties included various Maintenance and Administration Department assignments

Completed flight training and earned his Wings of Gold at Naval Air Station Chase Field, Beeville, Texas, in 1977.