NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, 41, participated in a NASA-sponsored virtual press conference on Tuesday, discussing his upcoming mission and his reflections on the journey to space.
“There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes in every mission, whether manned or unmanned,” Kim stated during the event. “Just to have a small contribution in that is really meaningful to me.” He also expressed his anticipation for the experience of viewing Earth from space.
Los Angeles native Kim, a father of three, is poised to become the first Korean-American individual to travel to space. He is scheduled to launch aboard the Russian spacecraft Soyuz MS-27 on April 8, accompanied by two Russian cosmonauts.
The mission is part of NASA’s Expedition 73, the 73rd long-duration expedition to the ISS. The crew is expected to remain aboard the ISS for approximately eight months, with a return planned for autumn 2025. Their mission objectives include conducting scientific experiments across various fields and performing essential maintenance on the ISS.
Read more: NASA Assigns Jonny Kim to First Space Station Mission
Kim is currently located in Star City, near Moscow, where he is undergoing training. He noted that his training has been conducted in Russian, and learning the language has been a significant challenge. However, he emphasized that “teamwork transcends language barriers.”
While aboard the ISS, Kim is expected to contribute to NASA’s CIPHER study, which examines the effects of spaceflight on the human body through long-term physiological tests. Kim described programs such as CIPHER as crucial for future manned missions to the Moon and Mars.
Kim utilizes online platforms, including an X account and an Instagram account, to document his training experiences. In a post earlier this year titled “oxygen appreciation day,” he detailed an experiment involving exposure to elevated carbon dioxide levels to prepare for potential carbon dioxide poisoning scenarios. He cautioned, “Never try this test without professionals.” Other posts have covered the mechanics of spacewalks and virtual reality simulations of the ISS at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
When questioned about his most anticipated aspect of the mission, Kim expressed his interest in spacewalks. “I really hope I get to contribute to a spacewalk,” he said. “I’m very interested in physical and mental challenges, and a spacewalk is that. It’s very visceral—you are out there in the abyss of space in a spacesuit.”
Kim also emphasized the importance of aligning professional endeavors with personal passions and maintaining perseverance in the face of obstacles.
Interviewers highlighted Kim’s diverse background, noting his achievements in multiple fields. According to his NASA biography, he served as an enlisted Navy SEAL and subsequently attended Harvard Medical School. He holds the rank of lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy and is a dual-designated naval aviator and flight surgeon. Kim was selected as one of 12 applicants from a pool of 18,300 to join NASA’s 2017 astronaut class.
Regarding his future aspirations at NASA, Kim confirmed his desire to participate in a lunar mission. “I’m going to be real with you, if you ask 100% of astronauts this question, 100% would say of course they’d participate,” Kim stated.
Read more: Jonny Kim becomes first Korean-American NASA astronaut
However, he added that his primary focus is on fulfilling the requirements of the space program. “What’s unique about NASA astronauts is that we raised our right hands and swore an oath,” Kim said during the press conference. “Our motto is that we fly in space for the betterment of humankind.”
As Jonny Kim prepares for his launch, his journey serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that diverse backgrounds and unwavering determination can lead to extraordinary achievements.
