For more than half a century, men and women have lived and worked in space to learn more about the Earth and our solar system, and to study the effects of zero gravity on the human body. Now, astronauts are preparing for humanity’s next giant leap – a return to the Moon and a push to Mars.

In today’s photo gallery, take a look back at some of these brave explorers who have boldly traveled into space for the good of all humankind, and don’t forget to learn more about them in our International Space Station Gallery during your next visit!

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Retired NASA astronaut Michael “Rich” Clifford died recently due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. He was 69.

Clifford went to space three times in his NASA career, spending 27 days and more than 665 hours in orbit. He also was the first NASA astronaut to make a spacewalk while docked to a space station.

NASA career

Clifford was selected as an astronaut in 1990, after graduating from the United States Military Academy and Georgia Tech. He was also a Master Army Aviator who had more than 3,400 flight hours before his selection. Clifford flew into space as part of three space shuttle missions, STS-53 in 1992, STS-59 in 1994, and STS-76 in 1996.

After returning home from STS-59, Clifford was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s Disease. Despite this diagnosis, he was assigned to the crew of STS-76 and flew back into space in 1996. In fact, that’s where he made history.

During that third mission, the Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the Russian space station Mir. Clifford then performed a six-hour spacewalk to install experiment packages on Mir. It was the first time an American astronaut had performed an EVA (extra-vehicular activity) while docked to an orbiting space station.

Clifford left NASA in January 1997 to accept the position of Space Station Flight Operations Manager for Boeing Defense and Space Group. He was also a recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement, NASA Space Flight Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.

Part of Independence Plaza

Clifford has a small tie to the history on display at Space Center Houston. The STS-49 mission in 1992 was designed to salvage the crippled Intelsat VI satellite and place it into its planned orbit. To do this, STS-49 crewmembers Rick Hieb, Thomas Akers, and Pierre Thuot had to execute the first three-person spacewalk to capture the satellite.

Clifford played a small but significant part in making that record-breaking spacewalk possible. During the mission, at the Johnson Space Center’s underwater EVA training facility, Rich and two other astronauts put on EVA suits and together squeezed into the submerged airlock mockup to verify that a three-person spacewalk was possible.

A piece of flown hardware from the successful STS-49 mission is on view in our Independence Plaza exhibit. Inside shuttle replica Independence’s payload bay in the Plaza is nestled the STS-49 cradle that carried the booster motor for use in the Intelsat VI rescue.

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Learn about this groundbreaking partnership and research in our September Thought Leader Series, presented by The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB).

About the panel

September Thought Leader Series panelists include TRISH Executive Director Dr. Dorit Donoviel, TRISH Chief Medical Officer and Interim Chief Scientist Dr. Emmanual Urquieta, and Jimmy Wu, an instructor and associate director of the Exploration Medicine Laboratory at Baylor College of Medicine Center for Space Medicine (CSM).

Dr. Donoviel serves as Executive Director of TRISH, which is a NASA-funded innovation research and development institute that finds, funds, and facilitates disruptive human health and performance solutions for astronauts traveling in deep space. In her previous role as deputy chief scientist of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), Donoviel led both domestic and international research programs that bridged academic, industry, and government resources to deliver fast and cost-effective tangible results. She is the recipient of multiple honors from NASA and a recipient of the NSBRI Pioneer Award.

Dr. Urquieta holds a medical degree from Anahuac University in Mexico City and a Master of Science in aerospace medicine from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He completed a diploma in emergency medicine and then worked for Mexico City’s Police Department as a flight surgeon in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service “Condors,” where he participated in hundreds of rescue missions and aeromedical evacuations within the Mexico City metropolitan area. He has volunteered in medical missions in underserved regions throughout Mexico and in Nigeria, Africa. He was a volunteer paramedic for the Mexican Red Cross for more than five years. In 2017 he was selected to participate in the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) XI mission, where he spent 30 days in a capsule simulating a deep space mission.

Mr. Wu develops, evaluates, and integrates technologies that will reduce human system risk during exploration space flight missions for CSM. He also serves as TRISH Senior Biomedical Engineer, looking to push the frontier of technology and engineering for addressing human system risk in space flight. His role with TRISH also includes team lead of medical technology projects and managing biomedical research to be conducted on private commercial space flight missions. Previously, Wu worked at NASA Johnson Space Center for 14 years providing engineering, integration, operations, research and development, information technology, and project management support to projects addressing human health and performance during space flight missions.

About TRISH

TRISH is a consortium led by Baylor College of Medicine and includes the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. The institute was formed though a cooperative agreement with NASA Human Research Program.

The mission of TRISH is to lead a national effort in translating cutting edge emerging terrestrial biomedical research and technology development into applied space flight human risk mitigation strategies for human exploration missions.

Translational research is an interdisciplinary model of research that focuses on translating fundamental research concepts into practice, with appreciable health outcomes. The TRISH implements a “bench-to-spaceflight” model, moving results or methods from laboratory experiments or clinical trials to point-of-care astronaut health and performance applications.

The goal of the research is to produce promising new approaches, treatments, preventative measures or technologies that have practical application to spaceflight.

Some examples from TRISH’s science projects include:

• Miniaturized human organs on a chip that mimic the “in-the-body” physiology. TRISH researchers are using these systems to study the effects of space radiation and how to protect these organs.
• The increased radiation during long space exploration missions can damage DNA, and the products of damaged genes can have negative health effects. One way to prevent these effects is to specifically block damaged genes. TRISH researchers developed the Facile Accelerated Specific Therapeutic (FAST) capability which can create the appropriate gene expression-blocking or increase based therapy within hours or days.
• Microbes living on our bodies influence our physical and mental health. TRISH researchers are learning to customize the microbiome to optimize an individual’s well-being and performance.
• On the way to Mars and in other places on Earth where access to specialized medical care is very limited, people will need to check their own health status. TRISH researchers have developed a suite of medical technologies that can detect changes early before a medical problem develops.

The post VIDEO: Thought Leader Series – Overcoming the challenges of human space flight appeared first on Space Center Houston.

Rubio was selected to be a NASA astronaut candidate back in 2017. Just a few years later, this U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel became one of 18 astronauts selected for the Artemis program. He is currently waiting to be assigned to his first spaceflight mission.

Learn more about Rubio with these three fast facts.

1. Before he became an astronaut, he was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot

You’ve got to be brave to travel to the Moon and Mars. You’ve also got to be brave to fly combat missions here on Earth.

Before he was an astronaut, Rubio was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. To date, he has logged over 1,100 hours of flight time, which includes over 600 hours from his deployments to Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

In a NASA interview last year, Rubio credited the Army and his military experiences for making him the man he is today.

“The Army has essentially shaped me. I mean, it’s given me all these amazing opportunities,” Rubio told NASA in 2020.

He also credited the “next-level” people in his life for being the inspiration for him to push himself.

2. Rubio was a member of West Point’s Parachute Team, the “Black Knights”

Did you know West Point has a parachute team? They do, and Rubio was once a member of this daring group.

It takes guts to step foot on the Moon. It might take even more to step foot out of a perfectly good airplane.

Rubio has already conquered one of these feats, and as an Artemis astronaut he is hoping to soon accomplish the other.

According to his NASA bio, Rubio is a Jumpmaster and has more than 650 freefall skydives under his belt. He is a D-license holder, the top license a skydiving professional can hold, and has a PRO-rating, a challenging rating to achieve.

3. He is a board-certified flight surgeon and family doctor

Rubio isn’t just a helicopter pilot and an accomplished skydiver; he is also a board-certified family doctor and flight surgeon. According to NASA, he received his Doctorate of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Maryland.

He was serving as the battalion surgeon for the 3rd Battalion of the 10th Special Forces Group when he was selected by NASA in 2017.

Now, Rubio can add astronaut to his resume, and perhaps one day, he will step foot on the Moon.

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Mann was selected to be a NASA astronaut candidate back in 2013. In 2020, this United States Marine Corps test pilot and engineer became one of 18 astronauts selected for the Artemis program.

Learn more about Mann with these three fast facts.

1. She has logged over 2,500 hours of flight time

Mann joined the United States Marine Corps in 1999. In 2003, she earned her wings of gold, and just one year later, began her operational flying career.

Mann has deployed twice, supporting combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. In total, she has logged upwards of 2,500 hours of flight time in 25 different aircraft!

2. Training in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL) has been one of her favorite astronaut training experiences

The NBL is an astronaut training facility and neutral buoyancy pool right here in Space City. The NBL’s main feature is a 6 million gallon indoor pool, in which astronauts perform simulated EVA tasks in preparation for upcoming missions. Astronauts wear suits designed to provide neutral buoyancy to simulate the microgravity that they would experience during spaceflight.

Mann said training in the NBL was more difficult than she expected. She said it requires both physical and mental preparation, but she enjoyed it because it is directly translatable to going into space and doing a spacewalk, and the closest training activity that we can get to going into orbit.

3. She is currently training for the first crewed flight test of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft

Mann isn’t just an Artemis astronaut, she is also a Commercial Crew astronaut who is currently training for Boeing’s first crewed test flight of their CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, which is still undergoing uncrewed testing.

Her first spaceflight is scheduled for later in the year; however the recent postponement of NASA’s Boeing Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2), may cause further delays.

Until then, Mann will keep training for the mission with her two crewmates.

We’re so excited for #Starliner crew member @AstroDuke, just named to the #Artemis astronaut team. We you to the Moon and back. pic.twitter.com/6ScSdGh1kY

— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) December 9, 2020

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Dominick was selected to be a NASA astronaut candidate back in 2017. Just a few years later, this test pilot became one of 18 astronauts selected for the Artemis program. He is currently waiting to be assigned to his first spaceflight mission.

Learn more about Dominick with these three fast facts.

1. He is a Navy test pilot with over 1,600 hours of flight time

According to his NASA bio, Dominick became a Naval Aviator in 2007, and was deployed twice to the North Arabian Sea, where he flew support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. Later, he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, and in 2013, earned the designation of developmental test pilot.

Three years later, Dominick shifted back to operational flights and was stationed in Japan. When he was notified of his selection as a NASA astronaut candidate, he was serving on the USS Ronald Reagan.

While he hasn’t yet flown in space, Dominick certainly has plenty of flight time logged! Throughout the course of his career thus far, he has accumulated more than 1,600 hours in 28 different types of aircraft!

2. His “pinch me” moment occurred when he first donned his spacesuit gloves

Dominick was fascinated by rockets and exploration from an early age, and dreamed of joining the NASA team.

In a 2020 NASA feature (see clip above), Dominick shared the moment things began to feel real.

“You find out you’re getting this job and that’s huge. But really, that first time that you go put your hands into the gloves, it is just a very interesting moment – It’s a pinch me moment.”

3. He would bring pictures of friends and family with him to Mars

Could you imagine being far away from your loved ones on a mission to Mars? Dominick can’t. That’s why he would bring them along for the journey!

When Dominick was interviewed by NASA as an astronaut candidate in 2017, he was asked what he would bring with him to the red planet. His answer? Pictures of friends and family.

Watch the full NASA clip below to see Dominick and his fellow Artemis astronauts (then astronaut candidates) answer more questions!

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He’s an engineer, a test pilot, an MIT graduate, and now an Artemis astronaut!

Chari was selected to be a NASA astronaut candidate back in 2017. Just a few years later, this astronautical engineer became one of 18 astronauts selected for the Artemis program. Now, Chari is preparing for his first spaceflight mission!

Learn more about Chari with these three fast facts.

1. He has logged over 2,000 hours of flight time

While he hasn’t yet flown in space, this U.S. Air Force Colonel still has extensive flight experience.

According to his NASA bio, Chari has racked up over 2,000 hours of flight time in a variety of different aircraft, including the F-35, F-15, F-16, and F-18!

He has flown combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and also deployed overseas in support of the Korean peninsula.

Chari was commanding the 461st Flight Test Squadron and directing the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base in California at the time of his NASA selection.

2. He remembers the exact time he received his selection call

9:07 – the exact time Chari got his selection call from NASA. He remembers it well.

Chari got the call just before a flight briefing for a mission at Edwards Air Force Base, where he was stationed at the time.

After he received the good news, Chari still had to carry out the briefing for his flight, fly the mission, and run through a flight debrief. The entire time he couldn’t share the news with his team!

Chari recalls this moment to NASA in the brief interview clip below.

3. He is training for his first spaceflight mission – NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 flight

Chari is currently training for the upcoming six-month NASA SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which is scheduled for an October launch.

As an Artemis astronaut, he is also eligible for a future lunar mission assignment, and might one day land on the Moon.

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Moghbeli was selected to be a NASA astronaut candidate back in 2017. Just a few years later, this aerospace engineer became one of 18 astronauts selected for the Artemis program. She is currently waiting to be assigned to her first spaceflight mission.

Learn more about Moghbeli with these three fast facts.

1. She is a major in the United States Marine Corps and she has been deployed three times

In 2005, Moghbeli commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps following completion of her undergraduate education. Just three years later, she earned the highly coveted wings of gold, joining an elite group of Naval aviators. That same year, she began her operational flying career in the service.

According to her NASA bio, Moghbeli has served in more than 150 combat missions and logged 2,000 hours of flight time in more than 25 aircraft.

Now this Marine Corps test pilot and AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter pilot will fly to new heights and exciting new frontiers as an Artemis astronaut.

2. Moghbeli knew she wanted to be an astronaut from the time she was in the sixth grade

Moghbeli’s dream of becoming an astronaut can be traced all the way back to sixth grade when she did a book report on the first woman in space, Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova.

She remembers her mom helping craft a spacesuit for her to wear into class for the report, she told NASA in the clip below. On becoming an astronaut, Moghbeli shared that it was something she has always wanted to do.

3. The food she is most looking forward to trying in space is steak

Steak in space? It’s a thing, and apparently, it’s the food Moghbeli is most looking forward to trying in zero gravity. See what other fun facts you can learn about Moghbeli and her fellow Artemis astronauts in the NASA clip below.

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This engineer, commercial pilot, and avid rock climber just got a new title – NASA Artemis astronaut.

Hoburg was selected to be a NASA astronaut candidate back in 2017. Just a few years later, he became one of 18 astronauts selected for the Artemis program. He is currently awaiting flight assignment for his first spaceflight mission.

Learn more about Hoburg with these three fast facts:

1. Hoburg was leading an MIT research group at the time of his selection.

Hoburg was teaching undergraduate courses as an assistant professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) when he was selected to be a NASA astronaut. According to his NASA bio, he researched engineering system design, with his group creating and maintaining GPkit, an open-source software tool for geometric programming.

Fun fact: Hoburg was one of three MIT alumni in NASA’s 2017 astronaut class.

2. He worked in search and rescue at Yosemite.

The ability to adapt and overcome challenges is an extremely important part of the job for astronauts. Hoburg knows firsthand what that’s like even though he hasn’t yet gone to space.

Hoburg served as a member of Yosemite Search and Rescue during the summers of 2010-2013. He called it, “one of the best decisions” of his life.

“One of my favorite parts of the job was getting thrown into situations where I wasn’t quite sure what to do,” Hoburg told NASA in 2020 (see clip above). “The confidence I gained from that was that I can deal with the unexpected and adapt and overcome,” he added.

According to his bio, Hoburg also worked with the Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit as an Operations Leader.

3. He didn’t think he was “experienced enough” to be a NASA astronaut.

Despite his extensive experience and education, Hoburg believed he wasn’t “experienced enough” to become a NASA astronaut. In the NASA clip above, he shared about his doubts.

“I actually thought that I was not experienced enough…didn’t have the credentials I needed to actually become an astronaut,” Hoburg told NASA.

“I feel really lucky to be here now where I have an opportunity to do operational things but also solve really hard technical problems,” Hoburg said. “When we go do hard things and challenge ourselves in that way, we will learn new things that will benefit us.”

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Kim was selected as a NASA astronaut candidate in 2017. In 2020, Kim became one of 18 astronauts selected for the Artemis program. Earlier this year he served as the International Space Station’s Increment Lead for Expedition 65. He is currently awaiting flight assignment for his first spaceflight mission.

Learn more about Kim with these three fast facts:

1. He is a Navy Seal and a doctor.

Many find it hard to believe all that Kim has accomplished before the age of 35. Not only is he an astronaut, but he is a Navy SEAL and doctor!

Kim enlisted in the Navy after graduating from high school. Following extensive training, he was assigned to SEAL Team THREE Charlie Platoon in California as a Special Warfare Operator.

According to his NASA bio, Kim has completed over 100 combat operations across two deployments to the Middle East, where he served as an Operations Combat Medic, sniper, navigator, and point man.

He is the recipient of the Silver Star Medal and Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V.”

Inspired by his time as a combat medic in the military, he attended Harvard Medical School and graduated in 2016. According to NASA, at the time of his selection, Kim was serving as a resident physician in emergency medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Kim remains on active duty as a Navy Lieutenant while awaiting his first spaceflight mission.

2. He was grocery shopping when he found out he was selected to be an astronaut.

In a 2017 NASA interview (see clip below), Kim shared about the moment he first learned he had been selected as a NASA astronaut. He had been expecting the call but was out at the grocery store when the phone rang.

Kim answered and was informed that he had been selected to be a NASA astronaut. Kim said he tried to keep his cool, but he rushed over to tell his wife who was shopping with him, jumping up and down right there in the store as he told her the good news!

Kim described the feeling of being selected as a NASA astronaut as “surreal.”

3. Kim would have told his younger self that, “failure is something to be embraced.”

When asked about what advice he would give his younger self in a NASA interview (see clip below), Kim replied that he would have let his younger self know that “failure is something to be embraced.”

He also said he’d tell his younger self that, “all things worthwhile are very difficult to obtain and that every mistake is an opportunity to learn and improve.”

We couldn’t agree more.

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