Steve was born October 27, 1946, in Canton, Illinois. He and his wife Linda M. Godwin of Houston, Texas have two daughters. His hobbies include sport flying and astronomy.

Steve graduated from Canton Senior High School, Canton, Illinois, in 1964; received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (high honors) from the University of Illinois in 1969, and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Fresno, California, in 1978.

He was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters; and for undergraduate pilot training he was the recipient of the Commander’s Trophy, the Flying Trophy, the Academic Trophy, and the Orville Wright Achievement Award. He we also presented the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal in 1978. He holds a number of medals for his outstanding abilities; Recipient of four NASA Space Flight Medals, (1985, 1991, 1993), Exceptional Service Medals (1988, 1989), Outstanding Leadership Medal (1992), AAS Flight Achievement Award, Outstanding Alumni Award, University of Illinois (1992), Distinguished Service Medal (1994), Distinguished Alumni Award, California State University, Fresno (1994), Lincoln Laureate, State of Illinois (1994).

Nagel became a NASA astronaut in August, 1979, and is a veteran of four space flights. He has logged approximately 12,000 hours flying time plus 723 hours in space flight time.

More important than any of the above is that Steve Nagel is a Christian. Come hear about his walk with Christ told through the eyes of one of the very few on earth who has been blessed to receive a small glimpse of God's creation- outer space. It will be interesting to get a glimpse of space through Steve’s eyes and heart.