Marine Lt. Col. Jasmin “Jaws” Moghbeli, an accomplished helicopter pilot, is about to achieve a remarkable feat – becoming one of the few individuals to travel to space. Moghbeli is set to serve as the commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7, with a scheduled launch on August 25.
The mission’s primary objective is to transport Moghbeli and her international crew to the International Space Station (ISS) for a series of experiments in microgravity. This opportunity is the latest milestone in Moghbeli’s career, which has been guided by her lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut.
Before joining NASA’s astronaut training program in 2017, Moghbeli had a successful career as a Marine Corps pilot. She flew the AH-1W Super Cobra and served as a test pilot, completing deployments to Afghanistan, Japan, and the Middle East with Marine Expeditionary Units. Her deployment in Afghanistan in 2009, in particular, was a turning point where she discovered her passion for flying and may not have accepted an astronaut offer had it come at that time.
Moghbeli expressed her excitement about the upcoming mission and the opportunity to see Earth from space, describing it as a life-changing perspective. She also shared some of the experiments she is looking forward to conducting at the ISS. One of them involves swabbing the space station’s exterior for evidence of microorganisms.
In addition to her scientific endeavors, Moghbeli plans to bring two stuffed dragons as mascots for her twin daughters, symbolizing their journey alongside their mother. The mission will be launched aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, named Endurance, propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket.
Moghbeli’s achievements are not only significant for herself but also for inspiring others. She follows in the footsteps of Col. Nicole Mann, another former Marine Corps pilot, who previously commanded Crew-5 and became the first Native American woman to go on a spacewalk. As a woman of Iranian descent, Moghbeli hopes to see a day where equal opportunities exist for everyone, regardless of any barriers. Her inspiration comes from recent protests and demonstrations for freedom in Iran.
Moghbeli’s story serves as a testament to the power of determination, skill, and luck in shaping one’s career. She remains grateful for her chosen path and is eager to carry out her duties as the commander of Crew-7. The original article is sourced from Sandboxx, a reputable source in military and veterans’ news.
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