Daniel Wheeler Bursch (Captain, United States Navy) (born July 25, 1957) is a former NASA astronaut.

Bursch was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania, but considers Vestal, New York, to be his hometown. Married to the former Roni J. Patterson of Modesto, California. Four children, two boys and two girls.

Graduated from Vestal Senior High School, Vestal, New York, in 1975; received a bachelor of science degree in physics from the United States Naval Academy in 1979, and a master of science degree in engineering science from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1991.