The US Space Force is preparing to send its first Guardian into space, with Col. Nick Hague set to pilot a NASA mission to the International Space Station as early as August. Accompanying Hague on the Crew-9 mission will be two NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut aboard the Dragon, a Space X spacecraft. This marks the first time in the Space Force’s four-year history that it will send a Guardian to space.
Upon reaching the ISS, Hague will transition to serving as a flight engineer and the crew will engage in a wide range of operations and research activities for a mission duration of over six months. According to a USSF press release, the main focus of their mission will be to conduct science experiments and gather data. Hague stated that the International Space Station provides a unique microgravity platform that allows researchers to explore and understand processes that could have significant impacts on human bodies and the surrounding environment, both on Earth and beyond.
Established in December 2019, the US Space Force is the newest addition to the nation’s armed forces. Hague’s upcoming mission will mark his first launch as a USSF Guardian, having previously completed two launches as a member of the Air Force before transferring to the Space Force in 2021. In a USSF press release, Hague emphasized the crucial support provided by Guardians, which includes essential assistance for the NASA human spaceflight program.
