NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway is set to make a unique mark on the upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) with his distinctive facial hair. Hathaway, who will serve as the pilot on the mission, is sporting what he describes as a “classic naval aviator mustache.” The launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is scheduled for no earlier than February 9, 2026, at 05:38 local time.
Hathaway, a rookie astronaut and active Navy commander, entered the astronaut program clean-shaven in 2021. During a recent interview from quarantine at the Kennedy Space Center, he expressed his enjoyment of the mustache, noting that it has fostered camaraderie among his crewmates. “The mustache is a lot of fun. The crew has enjoyed it,” he said. “We’ve had a bunch of laughs about it.” His support team, particularly the flight surgeons, have also embraced the spirit, growing their own mustaches in solidarity.
Joining Hathaway on the Crew-12 mission are Jessica Meir, the mission commander and another NASA astronaut, along with European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. Together, they will launch aboard the Crew Dragon Freedom atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, embarking on an eight-month journey aboard the ISS.
The launch has been delayed by one day due to weather concerns along the launch corridor. This mission marks a significant moment in space travel, as NASA astronauts have largely remained clean-shaven in the earlier years of space exploration, particularly during the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. Facial hair became more common during the space shuttle era of the 1980s and 1990s, yet many astronauts returned to a clean-shaven look in the 21st century.
Of the current 38 active astronauts, only one, Luke Delaney, has an official portrait featuring significant facial hair, a full beard and mustache. Among the 330 male active and retired astronauts, only 44 have facial hair in their official portraits, representing just over 13%. The first astronaut to sport a full beard in space was Paul Scully-Power, who flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984.
The most recent notable mustache in space belonged to retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who gained widespread fame during his 2013 mission, including a memorable cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” Hadfield’s popularity even led to the creation of a LEGO minifigure featuring his mustache.
Hathaway’s mustache is emblematic of a proud naval tradition. “I have mine in solidarity with all the naval officers and men and women throughout history that have worn mustaches to sea,” he said. “I get to wear one to space.”
The mustache has historical significance, particularly in the context of NASA’s astronaut program. The Kelly twins, Scott and Mark Kelly, both Navy pilots when selected as astronauts in 1996, initially sported mustaches during training. However, Scott opted to shave his off to avoid confusion with his brother, while Mark maintained his throughout his career.
Scott Kelly once attempted to prank NASA leadership by shaving his mustache before his brother’s launch in 2015, leading to a mix-up during a launch call. “He fooled all of us,” remarked then NASA Administrator Charles Bolden.
For Hathaway, the mustache serves a dual purpose, combining fun with a deeper meaning. “It reminds me of how the naval aviator community challenged me to be the best version of myself,” he stated. He is also eager to see how his mustache will behave in the unique environment of space. “I’m looking forward to seeing what it does up there, how crazy it gets,” he added.
As Crew-12 prepares for its mission, Hathaway’s mustache stands out as a symbol of individuality and tradition, adding a touch of personality to the groundbreaking journey ahead.
