NASA Astronaut Nick Hague Retires
NASA astronaut Brig. General Nick Hague retired from the agency, concluding a distinguished career that included two spaceflight missions, 374 days in space and several spacewalks in support of the International Space Station. Hague continues to serve in the U.S. Space Force.
Hague was launched aboard the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft in March 2019 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on his first long-duration mission, serving as a flight engineer during Expeditions 59/60. During this 203-day mission, he conducted three spacewalks to upgrade the station’s electrical systems and support ongoing maintenance of the orbiting laboratory. Hague has also contributed to a wide range of scientific investigations, covering biology, human physiology, materials science and technology demonstrations.
Hague was initially assigned to fly in 2018 as part of the Soyuz MS-10 crew. The mission experienced a launch anomaly shortly after liftoff, and Hague and his teammate executed a high-G ballistic abort. The two landed safely and Hague returned to flying status within months, ultimately completing his 2019 mission.
He flew again on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission, launching in September 2024 alongside Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. It was the first human spaceflight mission launched from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Station in Florida, and it was also the first time a Space Force Guardian had been launched into space. Hague then joined the Expedition 72 crew, spending 171 days aboard the station before returning in March 2025 with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. During the mission, he performed another spacewalk, bringing his career total to 25 hours and 56 minutes over the course of four spacewalks.
“Nick’s determination and dedication to human space exploration is truly phenomenal,” said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “His leadership and commitment to mission excellence have supported progress aboard the International Space Station and prepared us for future missions as we continue to explore further into the solar system.”
Beyond his flight experience, Hague has held several technical and leadership positions within NASA. He supported the development of future spacecraft operations, contributed to astronaut training, and played a key role in human spaceflight safety initiatives, drawing on his direct experience during the MS-10 launch abort.
“Nick brought calm, clarity and teamwork to every situation,” said Scott Tingle, NASA Johnson Astronaut Office Chief. “From his work in orbit to his support of crew operations here on Earth, he exemplified what it means to be an astronaut. His impact will continue to shape the missions and astronauts that follow.”
A native of Hoxie, Kansas, Hague is a brigadier general in the U.S. Space Force, where he is responsible for the development and implementation of policy for all global operations, sustainment, training and readiness of the U.S. Space Force. He holds a bachelor’s degree in astronautical engineering from the US Air Force Academy in Colorado and a master’s degree in astronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before joining NASA in 2013, he held development and test engineering positions supporting advanced Air Force technologies and operations at home and abroad.
“It has been an honor to serve as a NASA astronaut,” Hague said. “Working alongside incredible teams, on earth and in space, has been the privilege of a lifetime. The International Space Station represents the best of what humanity can accomplish when we work together. I am grateful to have contributed to this mission and look forward to seeing NASA, our partners and the next generation of explorers go even further as we return to the Moon and journey to Mars.”
To learn more about NASA astronauts and their contributions to space exploration, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts
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Shaneequa Vereen
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
shaneequa.y.vereen@nasa.gov
