BREAKING: NASA astronaut Jessica Meir has been officially announced as the commander of the upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station. This mission is set to launch no earlier than February 15, 2024, marking a significant milestone in Meir’s illustrious career and for space exploration.
Joining Meir on this groundbreaking mission will be NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway as pilot, alongside Sophie Adenot from the European Space Agency and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. This marks the 12th crew rotation with SpaceX to the orbiting laboratory, emphasizing the ongoing partnership between NASA and private space enterprises.
The Crew-12 mission will focus on long-duration scientific experiments crucial for preparing humans for future explorations to the Moon and Mars. Experts are eager to see how this mission will contribute to our understanding of long-term human presence in space.
Jessica Meir, a proud native of Caribou, Maine, has made her mark in history as the first woman from Maine to travel to space. Her previous mission in 2019 lasted an incredible 205 days, during which she completed more than 3,280 orbits around Earth. Meir also made headlines for participating in the first all-female spacewalk alongside fellow NASA astronaut Christina Koch.
Reflecting on her remarkable journey, Meir has shared her lifelong passion for space exploration, which began at the tender age of five. Her educational achievements include a valedictorian honor from Caribou High School, a biology degree from Brown University, and a doctorate in marine biology from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
During her first spacewalk in 2019, Meir expressed her awe in a call with then-President Donald Trump, stating, “It’s a pretty incredible feeling, I’m sure you can all imagine, and is one I will never forget.”
As anticipation builds for the Crew-12 mission, space enthusiasts and the scientific community are closely monitoring developments. The successful execution of this mission could pave the way for even more ambitious endeavors beyond our planet.
Stay tuned for updates as we count down to this historic launch!
