NASA Astronaut Loral O’Hara Prepares for Maiden Space Mission, Relieving Colleague After Soyuz Leak Delay

NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, with a background in deep-sea engineering, is preparing for her first space mission to the ISS.

NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, with a background in deep-sea engineering, is preparing for her first space mission to the ISS. (PHOTO: NASA)

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Loral O’Hara: Engineer Turned Astronaut Set for Space Debut Alongside Russian Cosmonauts

NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara is gearing up for her inaugural space journey, set to launch on September 15 alongside Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub aboard the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. This mission is particularly significant as it marks the relief of one of her colleagues, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, who unexpectedly spent a year on the International Space Station (ISS) due to a Soyuz spacecraft leak. According to a published article in Space, the delay in her launch was due to the need for a new replacement spacecraft.

Loral O’Hara’s background as an engineer experienced in deep-sea research submersibles has prepared her well for the challenges of remote environments. She is part of NASA’s 2017 astronaut candidate class and completed her basic training in 2020. Her selection for a 2023 ISS mission was relatively swift compared to many astronauts who wait years for such an opportunity.

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Loral O’Hara’s Unique Role: NASA’s Russian Connection and Lunar Ambitions on Her Maiden Space Voyage

While most U.S. astronauts utilize SpaceX Dragon vehicles for space travel, NASA and Russia maintain a reciprocal arrangement for transporting each other’s astronauts to the ISS to ensure redundancy and backup options. Loral O’Hara’s prior experience in Russia, including her role as the director of operations in Russia’s NASA astronaut office, likely played a role in her assignment.

During her mission, O’Hara will perform various tasks, including experiments, space station maintenance, and potentially spacewalks. Her engagement with underwater vehicles during her tenure at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has provided her with valuable experience relevant to spacewalks. Furthermore, Loral O’Hara’s interest in the moon aligns with NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface. She expressed her desire to contribute to the program, either as a crew member or in a supportive capacity.

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