After nearly a decade of service to NASA, including an eight-month science expedition aboard the International Space Station, astronaut Jonny Kim\u2019s last day at the agency is Thursday. He will continue serving as lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy.<\/p>\n
Kim launched to the space station in April 2025 aboard the Soyuz MS\u201127 spacecraft to conduct scientific research as a flight engineer during Expeditions 72\/73. During the mission, he orbited Earth 3,920 times, traveled nearly 104 million miles, and contributed to a broad range of scientific investigations spanning technology development, Earth science, biology, and human research critical for future exploration.<\/p>\n
\u201cJonny Kim represents the very best of NASA, a person who continually pushed the boundaries of exploration while inspiring countless others,\u201d said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. \u201cHis contributions aboard the International Space Station advanced critical science that will shape NASA\u2019s future missions for decades to come. We are grateful for his dedication to our nation and to the pursuit of knowledge, and we wish him success as he continues his service in the U.S. Navy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Serving as the U.S. Operating Segment lead for the second half of Expedition 73, Kim oversaw operations across the station\u2019s international modules. During the expedition, the station achieved a historic milestone when every available docking port was occupied for the first time in 25 years. He also commanded the Canadarm2 robotic arm during the first capture of Northrop Grumman\u2019s new Cygnus XL spacecraft, securing 11,000 pounds of supplies for the station. Kim and his Roscosmos crewmates landed safely in Kazakhstan in December 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cJonny has been an integral part of the agency, and his immeasurable impact will be felt for generations to come,\u201d said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston. \u201cFrom advancing groundbreaking science to inspiring the next generation, Jonny has been an incredible source of inspiration to our nation. His exceptional talent, determination, and grit will leave a lasting legacy at NASA.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kim was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017 and completed two years of astronaut candidate training, which included instruction in space station systems, Russian language, robotics, T\u201138 flight operations, geology, survival training, and spacewalk preparation.<\/p>\n
He later supported station operations as a capsule communicator, or capcom, in NASA\u2019s Mission Control Center at Johnson. Kim also contributed to Artemis program development through his work in the astronaut exploration branch, leading the astronaut crew operations branch, and serving as increment lead for Expedition 65. His experiences as a Navy SEAL, physician, and naval aviator provided unique perspectives in mission operations and crew support.<\/p>\n
\u201cJonny approached every assignment with humility, precision, and steadfast commitment to the mission,\u201d said Scott Tingle, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA Johnson. \u201cHis combination of medical training, operational experience, and engineering insight strengthened our team and contributed to advancements in exploration and space station operations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Born in Los Angeles, Kim enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating high school in 2002. He trained as a hospital corpsman and completed Basic Underwater Demolition\/SEAL training before joining SEAL Team Three. Over the course of more than 100 combat operations, he served as a medic, sniper, navigator, and point man, earning the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat \u201cV,\u201d and numerous additional commendations.<\/p>\n
He earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in mathematics from the University of San Diego and a doctor of medicine from Harvard Medical School. He completed his internship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women\u2019s Hospital in Boston. Kim became a dual-designated naval aviator and flight surgeon, completing flight training at Naval Air Stations Corpus Christi in Texas and Whiting Field in Florida, and aerospace medical training at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute at Naval Air Station Pensacola.<\/p>\n
Kim is returning to active duty to finish out the remainder of his military career within naval aviation training.<\/p>\n
\u201cContributing to space exploration and serving NASA has been the honor of a lifetime,\u201d said Kim. \u201cThroughout my career, I\u2019ve learned that beyond the missions, the training, and the hardware, success always comes down to the people. They are our greatest asset, and leading with love and empathy is how we achieve the impossible. I look forward to carrying my commitment to service, my enduring love for space and technology, and the hard-earned lessons of this past decade into my next chapter to make a meaningful impact on humanity\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n
To learn more about NASA\u2019s astronauts and human space exploration, visit:<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/astronauts<\/a><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Jimi Russell
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
james.j.russell@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n