Almost every child dreams of being an astronaut at least once. For Daniel M Tani, his dream became a reality. Born in Pennsylvania in 1961, Daniel Tani graduated from an Illinois High School and received a BS and his master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Daniel M Tani held various positions which include working for Hughes Aircraft Corporation as a design engineer as well as other positions. He worked for Bolt, Beraneck, and Newman in experimental psychology and he worked with the Orbital Science Corporation in Dulles, Virginia. At Dulles, Daniel worked as a senior structures engineer and then moved into the position of mission operation manager.

In 1996, Tani realized a huge opportunity. He was chosen for a candidate for an astronaut by NASA. He reported to Johnson Space Center that same year. He went through two years of training before he qualified for a mission specialist. Since then, Tani has logged over eleven days in space.

Daniel M. Tani was on the Expedition 9 to the International Space Station as the backup flight engineer. He was then assigned to the Expedition 16 where he spent time once again at the International Space Station. Daniel Tani also conducted a space walk. During the space walk thermal blankets were wrapped around the ISS Solar Array Gimbals.

Tani is a member of the Gay-Straight Alliance of 2007. He is also a member of various aircraft-focused organizations and other groups including Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Japanese American Citizens League, and the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. In 1993, Tani won an outstanding technical achievement award from Orbital Sciences Corporation.

Daniel Tani is married to Jane Egan of Ireland. They have two children. Daniel and Jane enjoy various family activities including golf, tennis, running, and cooking.