NASA has officially assigned astronaut Jonny Kim to his first space mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
As a flight engineer, Kim will join the Expedition 72/73 crew, marking a significant milestone in his already remarkable career.
Scheduled for March 2025, Kim will launch on the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft alongside Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky. The mission is expected to last approximately eight months, during which the crew will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations crucial for future space missions.
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Kim began his career in the U.S. Navy, where he enlisted at just 18 years old. He completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training and went on to serve as a combat medic, sniper, and navigator with SEAL Team 3. During his time in the Navy, Kim participated in over 100 combat operations across two deployments in the Middle East, including missions in Ramadi and Sadr City, Iraq. His bravery earned him several accolades, including a Silver Star and a Bronze Star with Combat “V.”
It was during his service as a combat medic that Kim was inspired to pursue a career in medicine. Reflecting on his experiences, Kim shared, “I was the combat medic of my platoon and I had the fortunate opportunity to treat my fellow platoon mates, civilians, and sometimes the enemy. But there was a limit to what I could do to help people.” This realization drove him to fulfill a promise he made to those he lost, to dedicate his life to making a positive impact on the world.
Kim’s ambition led him to Harvard Medical School, where he earned his medical degree and specialized in emergency medicine. His path took another significant turn when he was encouraged by astronaut and physician Scott Parazynski to apply to NASA. In 2017, Kim was selected from a pool of over 18,300 candidates to join NASA’s astronaut program.
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Kim’s accomplishments continued to grow as he became a naval aviator, completing advanced helicopter training and earning his wings at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Florida. His aviation training was not just an additional skill but a strategic preparation for his role as an astronaut. “NASA really values helicopter pilots for their perspectives and crew resource management mentality,” Kim explained, highlighting the importance of his diverse skill set.
Now, as Kim prepares for his first space mission, he carries with him a wealth of experience from the battlefield, the operating room, and the cockpit. As he steps into this next chapter, Jonny Kim is set to continue breaking new ground—this time, in space.
