Nick Hague (astronaut)

Nick Hague (astronaut) is an American United States Air Force officer and NASA astronaut. He was selected as part of NASA Astronaut Group 21 in 2013 and has since completed two missions to the International Space Station. Hague is notable for surviving an in-flight abort during his first launch attempt aboard Soyuz MS-10 before successfully reaching orbit on Soyuz MS-12.

Early life and education

Nicholas Patrick Hague was born on September 24, 1975, in Belleville, Kansas. He graduated from Hoxie High School in Hoxie, Kansas. Hague then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in astronautical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1998. He furthered his education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, receiving a Master of Science in aeronautics and astronautics in 2000 through the Air Force Institute of Technology program.

Military career

Commissioned through the United States Air Force Academy, Hague began his military career as an officer. He completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was designated a pilot in 2000. Hague served as an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot and instructor, with assignments including the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. He later attended the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California, graduating in 2008. Hague served as a test pilot for the F-15 Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, and F-16 programs and held positions at the Air Force Flight Test Center and the Pentagon.

NASA career

Selected in June 2013 as a member of NASA Astronaut Group 21, Hague reported for duty in August 2013. He completed two years of astronaut candidate training, which included intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalking (EVA) techniques in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, T-38 Talon jet flights, and Russian language courses. Hague served in various support roles for the Astronaut Office, including as a capsule communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control Center, Houston.

Spaceflight experience

Hague's first launch attempt occurred on October 11, 2018, aboard the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Approximately two minutes after liftoff, the Soyuz-FG rocket experienced a booster failure, triggering a launch abort. Hague and his crewmate, Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, executed a ballistic reentry and landed safely, having experienced high G-forces. He subsequently launched on his first successful mission on March 14, 2019, aboard Soyuz MS-12, serving as a flight engineer for Expedition 59 and Expedition 60. During his 203-day mission, Hague conducted three spacewalks, contributed to hundreds of scientific experiments, and participated in public engagement events. He returned to Earth aboard Soyuz MS-12 on October 3, 2019.

Personal life

Hague is married to Lt. Col. Catie Hague, who is also a United States Air Force officer and F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot. The couple has two sons. His recreational interests include running, cycling, and spending time with his family.

Awards and honors

Hague's military and NASA decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He has also been awarded the NASA Space Flight Medal and the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal. Following the Soyuz MS-10 abort, he and Ovchinin were honored with the NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal and the Yuri A. Gagarin Gold Medal from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Category:NASA astronauts Category:American military personnel Category:1975 births