"Space Force Guardian to Make Historic Launch to International Space Station with NASA"
Col. Nick Hague, a U.S. Space Force officer, is set to make history by becoming the first Space Force Guardian to launch into space as the pilot on NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station in August. This marks the first time a member of the military's youngest service branch will travel on a rocket into space. Hague expressed gratitude for the support of Guardians in monitoring and protecting America's satellites, emphasizing the collective effort involved. The mission will also include Commander Zena Cardman, Mission Specialist Stephanie Wilson, and Russian cosmonaut Mission Specialist Aleksandr Gorbunov, and Hague will transition from pilot to flight engineer upon arrival at the ISS for a six-month research and operations stint.