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NASA's Expedition 73 Crew Missions Briefings

On February 24, 2025, NASA will host essential briefings regarding the forthcoming Expedition 73 mission at the International Space Station (ISS). Led by the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston, these press conferences are designed to provide insights into the crew mission's preparations, schedule, and the individual profiles of the astronauts and cosmonauts participating.

The mission's agenda includes a comprehensive overview of NASA's upcoming SpaceX Crew-10 launch scheduled for March, followed by the Soyuz crew member rotation in April. Journalists and space enthusiasts alike can tune in live via NASA+ to learn more about these pivotal events.

The first news conference will take place at 2 PM EST, featuring various mission leaders. Among them will be Ken Bowersox, NASA’s associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate, and Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, alongside other prominent figures from NASA and its international partners.

Details of Crew-10 Mission

The Crew-10 mission aims for a March 12 launch and will ferry astronauts and cosmonauts to the ISS. This crew includes prominent figures such as NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Their mission will focus on various scientific experiments and technology demonstrations, contributing significantly to our understanding of living and working in space.

Following the overview, a crew-specific news briefing will occur at 4 PM, giving the media a chance to interact directly with the astronauts. This will be the final media engagement before these crew members make their way to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for their upcoming mission. Individual interviews with the crew will then commence at 5 PM, allowing for in-depth discussions about their preparations and expectations.

Profiles of the Crew Members

1. Jonny Kim: Scheduled to launch on Soyuz MS-27 no earlier than April 8, Kim is making his debut spaceflight. His background includes serving as a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander, and he has an impressive academic record, having graduated from the University of San Diego and earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. His diverse experience, including service as an enlisted Navy SEAL, enriches his role in this mission.

2. Anne McClain: A seasoned astronaut, this mission marks McClain's second flight into space. She is a U.S. Army colonel with considerable flight experience, including more than 2,300 hours across various aircraft and combat missions. McClain is notable for her dual master's degrees in Aerospace Engineering and her rigorous training at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.

3. Nichole Ayers: Making her first spaceflight, Ayers has had an exemplary career in the U.S. Air Force, where she currently holds the rank of major. She is the first member of NASA's 2021 astronaut class to be assigned to a crew, reflecting her exceptional skills and training.

4. Takuya Onishi: This mission is Onishi's second time aboard the ISS. He previously participated as a flight engineer and is noted for his contributions to robotic operations, including capturing the Cygnus spacecraft.

5. Kirill Peskov: Peskov will embark on his first mission as a cosmonaut. His background as a co-pilot adds valuable experience to the crew.

As we approach the briefing date, NASA encourages U.S. and international media to engage with the upcoming events either in person or virtually. The agency’s initiatives, stemming from its Commercial Crew Program, continue to highlight the collaborative efforts between NASA and its global partners in space exploration. This briefing is not only a prelude to extraordinary missions but also a testament to the ongoing commitment of nations working together in the vast expanse of space.

Remember to follow NASA on various social media platforms to keep updated on these groundbreaking missions and more!