The U.S. Space Force capped an already significant milestone with the return to Earth of Col. Nick Hague after six months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Guardian and astronaut splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, on March 18.
His flight, meanwhile, marked a tremendous achievement in the history of the Space Force, as Hague became the first active-duty Guardian to launch into space and one of the first astronauts to launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
“I represent all those Guardians that are around the globe,” Hague said, according to a Space Force news release. “I represent that entire family that brings so much to the table that lets us explore space and it’s a thrill to be a part of that.”
Space Force Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, welcomed Hague’s return. “We’re all excited to have you back, and we’re ready to leverage your experiences and expertise in the Space Force,” he said in the news release.
While aboard the space station, Hague participated in more than 150 scientific investigations, completed a six-hour spacewalk and interacted with students from around the world to discuss space exploration and technology. His research included blood clotting studies, microgravity plant growth and vision changes in astronauts — issues critical for future long-duration space missions. The spacewalk, conducted on January 16 alongside an Expedition 72 crewmate, involved replacing a station component and servicing a research instrument for space-based observations.
Hague splashed down aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, both U.S. Navy test pilots, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
Wilmore and Williams had initially expected to stay only a week when they arrived at the ISS in June 2024, but technical issues involving their Boeing Starliner spacecraft left them in space for nine months. The uncrewed Starliner returned to Earth in August 2024.
Hague’s trip back was initially scheduled for early March but was delayed due to adjustments in the Crew-10 mission timeline. He and his colleagues remained aboard the ISS and continued their research to support station operations. NASA astronaut Maj. Nichole Ayers, a U.S. Air Force officer and F-22 Raptor pilot, arrived at the ISS on March 16 as part of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission. Ayers took over operational duties and continued scientific research and experiments initiated by Hague and his crew, the Space Force and NASA said.
Air Force officer Mike Hopkins became the first Guardian in space when he took his service oath in a ceremony aboard the ISS in 2020. Hague’s first visit to space, which lasted more than 200 days, occurred in 2019 when he was serving in the Air Force. He transferred into the Space Force in 2021. His latest trip into space lasted 175 days, for a combined total of more than a year above Earth, according to the news site military.com.
“As the first member of the Space Force to launch into orbit, he embodies our Guardian Spirit,” Saltzman said of Hague. “His dedication to scientific discovery is remarkable, his effort to inspire the next generation of space pioneers is commendable, and his commitment to serving our nation is unwavering. We’re incredibly proud.”