SPOKANE, Wash. – A Spokane native is one of four astronauts preparing to launch for a stay aboard the International Space Station.
NASA Commander Anne McClain will join other astronauts at the orbiting laboratory no earlier than February 2025.
Originally from Spokane, McClain was a colonel in the U.S. Army and holds a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, International Security, and Strategic Studies. She has more than 2,300 flight hours, including more than 800 hours in combat.
This will be her second spaceflight.
NASA said on her first spaceflight, McClain spent over 200 days as a flight engineer and was the lead on two spacewalks.
Since then, she has served in many roles including branch chief and space station assistant to the chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office.
This new flight will let the crew conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to help prepare people for future missions.
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