A true space pioneer hangs up his helmet: NASA astronaut Brig. Gen. Nick Hague retires, leaving an indelible mark on human space exploration.
The Journey of a Lifetime
Hague's career with NASA spanned two remarkable missions, accumulating an impressive 374 days in space. His first mission, aboard the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft, launched from Kazakhstan in 2019, and saw him serve as a flight engineer for Expeditions 59/60. During this 203-day odyssey, he conducted three spacewalks, upgrading the station's power systems and maintaining the orbiting laboratory. His contributions extended beyond engineering, as he also participated in a diverse range of scientific investigations, from biology to materials science.
But here's where it gets controversial... Hague's journey to space wasn't without its challenges. Initially assigned to fly in 2018 as part of the Soyuz MS-10 crew, their mission encountered a launch anomaly, forcing a high-G ballistic abort. Despite this setback, Hague's resilience and determination saw him return to flight status within months, ultimately completing his 2019 mission.
Hague's second mission, NASA's SpaceX Crew-9, launched in 2024 alongside Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. This historic mission marked the first human spaceflight from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and also the first time a Space Force Guardian ventured into space. During this mission, Hague joined the Expedition 72 crew, spending 171 days aboard the station before returning in 2025 with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Hague's expertise was evident as he conducted another spacewalk, accumulating a total of 25 hours and 56 minutes across four spacewalks.
Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, praised Hague's dedication, stating, "His leadership and commitment to mission excellence have been instrumental in our progress aboard the International Space Station and our future missions deeper into the solar system."
Beyond his spaceflight experience, Hague played pivotal roles within NASA, contributing to future spacecraft operations, astronaut training, and human spaceflight safety initiatives. His firsthand experience during the MS-10 launch abort provided invaluable insights.
Scott Tingle, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA Johnson, highlighted Hague's impact, "Nick's calm demeanor, clarity of thought, and spirit of teamwork exemplified the essence of an astronaut. His influence will continue to shape our missions and inspire future astronauts."
A native of Hoxie, Kansas, Hague's academic credentials include a bachelor's degree in astronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master's degree in the same field from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before joining NASA in 2013, he served in developmental and test engineer roles, supporting advanced Air Force technologies and operations globally.
In his own words, Hague expressed, "Serving as a NASA astronaut has been an honor. Working with exceptional teams, both on the ground and in space, has been a lifetime privilege. The International Space Station stands as a testament to humanity's collective achievements when we unite. I am grateful to have been a part of this mission and eagerly anticipate NASA, our partners, and the next generation of explorers pushing the boundaries as we return to the Moon and venture on to Mars."
To delve deeper into the lives and contributions of NASA's astronauts, visit https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts.
