NASA astronaut Jonny Kim is featured in a portrait taken on July 17, 2024, showcasing him in a spacesuit. As he embarks on his inaugural mission, Kim is set to fulfill the role of a flight engineer during Expedition 72/73 aboard the International Space Station. His journey will commence with the launch on the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft scheduled for Tuesday, April 8.
Selected by NASA in 2017, Jonny Kim brings a distinguished background as a naval officer and medical doctor. His preparation included two years of intensive training as an Astronaut Candidate. This comprehensive training covered a wide array of disciplines, including technical and operational instruction in International Space Station systems, Extravehicular Activities Operations, T-38 flight training, robotics, and physiological training. Additionally, Kim undertook expeditionary training, field geology, and survival training in both water and wilderness environments, along with gaining proficiency in the Russian language.
In 2020, Kim began contributing to International Space Station operations as a Capsule Communicator (CapCom) at the Mission Control Center in Houston, while also supporting the Artemis program under the astronaut Exploration branch. His significant contributions continued in 2021 when he served as the International Space Station’s Increment Lead for Expedition 65.
Within the astronaut office, Kim has played various pivotal roles, supporting mission and crew operations. His positions have included serving as the Operations Officer, T-38 Liaison to the Aircraft Operations Division, and as the interim ISS CapCom Chief Engineer. Jonny Kim’s extensive background and continuous dedication to space exploration underscore his significant role in the upcoming mission.
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Image credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel
