Ferguson says he has had his mind on a space mission since high school. He says it is nice to be in charge.
The 47-year-old Ferguson is a Navy captain and former test pilot who has flown in space once before, as co-pilot on a 2006 mission.
He loves music and is a drummer in an astronaut rock 'n' roll band. He and his wife, Sandra, have a 16-year-old daughter and two sons, ages 14 and 12. All their children play in the school band.
He grew up in Philadelphia.
