Space Force Guardian Returns After Six Months In Space

Col. Nick Hague, Space Force Guardian and NASA astronaut is officially home after six months in space at the International Space Station!

Hague was the Commander and pilot on NASA's Space X Crew-9 mission aboard the Dragon spacecraft that lifted off to the International Space Station on September 28th. He and his crewmate Roscomos cosmonaut Mission Specialist Aleksandr Gorbunov were there with the Expedition 72 crew conducting scientific research and maintenance activities.

In a statement, Hague said:

"The core of our mission on the space station is to perform science experiments and collect data. The International Space Station provides a unique platform in microgravity, which allows researchers from around the world to explore and discover processes that could have significant impact on the behavior of our bodies and the environment around us both on Earth and off planet."

Col. Hague's first traveled to space in 2018, but this is his first flight as a Space Force Guardian. He is representing almost 14,000 military and civilian Guardians who support NASA and commercial space missions.

"Being a part of this mission is a unique honor, but it's truly a collective effort. Guardians worldwide ensure safe and secure operations of critical systems for launch and on station. From GPS sattelites that underpin our station navigation systems, to space domain awareness sites around the globe that help NASA prevent orbital debris from colliding with the space station, to the launch range that my crew will use when we liftoff, Guardians provide critical support without which our NASA human spaceflight program wouldn't be possible."

Amy has been chatting with Col. Hague on Wake Up Call for the last year as he prepared for this mission, and even spoke to him from the International Space Station while he was there. This morning he joined Amy for his first radio interview after returning home. Listen to that interview below!

Listen to Col. Hague's previous interviews with Amy below.

Interested in becoming an Astronaut? They're taking applications...you can apply right here!