Jasmin Moghbeli is spearheading a crew poised for launch aboard a SpaceX rocket early this Saturday, following NASA’s postponement of the original launch due to unspecified administrative matters.
This mission holds a significant place in Moghbeli’s journey as it signifies her inaugural voyage into outer space – a cherished aspiration for the 40-year-old Marine helicopter pilot and mother of twins, whose longstanding ambition had always been to become an astronaut.
Reflecting on her past, she humorously shared, “It’s quite amusing, because in my sixth-grade yearbook, on the page where everyone states their career aspirations, mine reads ‘astronaut,'” as recounted to CBS News.
The upcoming SpaceX Crew-7 flight will unite a multinational quartet for the journey to the space station. Moghbeli will be the sole American representative and will command the mission.
Hailing from a family of Iranian political refugees, Moghbeli’s trajectory saw her attend astronaut training as a teenager and acquire a degree from MIT. Engaging in three sports, including basketball, she pursued a degree in aeronautical engineering with her sights set on space.
Subsequently, she embarked on an audacious career as a Marine attack helicopter pilot, participating in over 150 combat missions. This choice was a blend of familial legacy, patriotic duty, and unwavering commitment to her cosmic ambitions.
“I was resolute in keeping the door open to the prospect of becoming an astronaut,” Moghbeli asserted, “and military service in no way shut that door.”
The mere concept of human space travel continues to astonish her, as she shared, “The fact that humans venture into space still leaves me awestruck.”
Moghbeli is eagerly anticipating the remarkable vista that awaits her.
“Every astronaut I’ve conversed with has conveyed how gazing back at Earth transformed their outlook,” she remarked. “I struggle to envision what that initial experience feels like. I recall being captivated by the Grand Canyon’s beauty on my first encounter, but the notion of observing our planetary home from space is beyond my imagination.”
For her, this mission embodies qualities of determination, exploration, and inspiration, particularly for the upcoming generation of girls like her own twin daughters, Zelda and Estelle.
“As they witness the inclusive crews partaking in these ventures,” Moghbeli explained, “they come to realize that they too can contribute – whether it entails becoming an astronaut or pursuing any other aspiration. This realization empowers them.”
She emphasized, “Human beings possess an inherent drive to explore. Furthermore, I believe it plays a pivotal role in igniting the flames of inspiration within the next generation.”
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