NASA astronaut on a spacewalk - 1-16-2025
The NICER X-ray telescope is reflected on NASA astronaut and Space Force Col. Nick Hague’s, Expedition 72 flight engineer, spacesuit helmet visor in this high-flying "space-selfie," Jan. 16, 2025. Also, visible in Hague's visor is the camera he is pointing toward himself to take this photograph. During the six-hour spacewalk, Hague patched light leaks on some of NICER's 56 X-ray concentrators that block ultraviolet, infrared and visible light while allowing X-rays to pass through to the mirrors underneath enabling the observation of neutron stars. Hague launched aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Sept. 28, 2024, as part of NASA's Crew-9 mission. His flight marked a significant moment in the history of the Space Force, as he became the first active-duty Guardian to fly to space and one of the first humans to launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla. Hague returned to Earth, March 18, 2025, at 5:57 p.m. EDT. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of NASA)
