Jim Buchli is an ex NASA astronaut who took a Masters degree in Aerospace Systems at the University of West Florida qualifying in 1975. He had previously been in the Marines as an aviator stationed in the far east and the masters level aero program allowed him to apply and be accepted in the US Marine Corps, Masters Degree Program. He then attended the US Navy Test Pilot School and was subsequently selected as a NASA Astronaut. He was from 1978 to 1992 a NASA Space Shuttle Astronaut.