Army astronaut returns to Earth, once more | Article

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — Nothing may be extra thrilling as returning to earth from area, until you do it twice.

U.S. Army Astronaut Col. Anne C. McClain returned to Earth Aug. 9, 2025, after practically 5 months aboard the International Space Station. During her second flight into area, she carried out quite a few experiments and duties, together with a spacewalk totaling 13 hours and eight minutes.

“Earth is, by far, the best planet in the solar system and we are excited to come back,” McClain stated. “Spaceflight provides you a brand new appreciation for what we’ve, and the fragility of the environment. It additionally provides us a renewed religion in humanity — spaceflight really brings out the perfect in folks. Our protected flight was a results of folks all all over the world working collectively, dreaming large and specializing in cooperation. We hope it may be a reminder of what we will accomplish once we work collectively.

“The spacewalk was absolutely a highlight of this mission,” she added. “I, along with Air Force Maj. Nichole Ayers, conducted a spacewalk to install a support structure for a future upgraded solar array, and we moved an antenna that is used for visiting vehicles that had been experiencing some structural blockage with line-of-sight communications. It was a success on the technical side, and it is absolutely incredible to work outside of the space station. You really get a sense for orbital dynamics, watching the sun rise or set every 45 minutes and seeing the Earth spin below you. It is an experience that words cannot adequately describe.”

McClain, serving as Crew Dragon Endurance commander, together with U.S. Air Force Maj. Nichole Ayers and mission specialists Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov from Russia launched March 14 for a mission aboard the International Space Station throughout Expedition 73. Together, they served for 148 days.

“This flight was different in a lot of ways,” McClain stated. “On the final flight, I flew on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft as a flight engineer. My duties had been extra on the technical facet — monitoring and regulating air composition and strain, and aiding the commander with off nominal conditions, and it was all in Russian language.

“This mission, I was the commander of the SpaceX Crew-10 Dragon,” she added. “I was responsible for the overall safe execution of the mission and cohesiveness of the crew. I had a very strong crew, all professional pilots from different counties and services, and it was an absolute honor to be selected to lead them.”

She defined how the Army ready her for this grand journey by specializing in conducting the mission by management and teamwork and stated it was glorious preparation for spaceflight.

“Mission first, people always,” McClain stated. “I gained a lot of technical skills during my time in the Army, flying helicopters, being a test pilot. But what I leverage more is my leadership and team experience, along with the formal education I got through professional military education. I had a full box of tools to pull from when issues arose.”

McClain additionally had phrases of knowledge for brand spanking new Army leaders who would possibly someday wish to comply with in her area boots.

“Be excellent in whatever job you have right now,” McClain stated. “Have a plan, but approach that plan with flexibility. I knew I wanted to be an astronaut, but when I chose to serve in the Army, I knew the needs of the Army came first. I rarely got my choice of duty station, or job at that duty station, but in every job I learned something and contributed something valuable.”

She additionally advised discovering good mentors, including that the Army is filled with them.

“Find the people who are most respected in the jobs you are interested in, pay attention to how they operate, and listen to their advice,” McClain stated. “I had mentors that gave me great advice along the way and saved me from having to learn some hard lessons myself. Army leaders want you to succeed, and they will help you do so.”

As this journey closes, McClain talked about her workforce and is on the lookout for what comes subsequent.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to represent our Army, and Army Space and Missile Defense Command, on the highest ground,” she added. “I am excited to see what is next for Army space, and for the current and future Army astronauts.”

The U.S. Army’s involvement within the nation’s area program dates again to the 1958 launch of Explorer 1, America’s first satellite tv for pc, and it was a modified U.S. Army rocket that carried the primary U.S. astronaut into area in 1961.

Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, commanding normal of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, spoke of how proud the Army is of McClain and her persevering with the U.S. Army’s 67-year legacy of excellence to the nation’s area program.

“We are grateful to have Col. McClain safe at home from her mission on the International Space Station,” Gainey stated. “Anne’s selfless service and private braveness are a testomony to the heroism of not solely our astronaut Soldiers on the final word excessive floor but additionally these Soldiers serving in foxholes throughout the globe.

“Anne’s leadership skills reflect highly on herself, her team and the Army’s space mission,” he added. “Here at SMDC, we are so proud of all she has already accomplished and look forward to all she will continue to accomplish in the future.”