NASA astronaut Brig. Gen. Nick Hague retired from the agency, ending a distinguished career that included two space flights, 374 days in space and numerous spacewalks in support of the International Space Station. Haig continues to serve in the US Space Force.
Hague launched aboard the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft in March 2019 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for his first long-duration mission, serving as a flight engineer during Expeditions 59/60. During this 203-day mission, he completed three spacewalks to upgrade the station's power systems and support ongoing maintenance of the orbiting laboratory. The Hague has also contributed to a wide range of scientific research spanning biology, human physiology, materials science and technology demonstrations.
Haig was originally assigned to fly in 2018 as part of the Soyuz MS-10 crew. Shortly after liftoff, the mission experienced an anomaly and Hague and his teammate performed a high-G ballistic abort. Both landed safely, and Haig returned to flight status several months later, eventually completing his 2019 mission.
He flew again on NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission, launched in September 2024, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov. It was the first human spaceflight, launched from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and the first launch of the Guardian spacecraft into space. Hage then joined the Expedition 72 crew, spending 171 days aboard the station before returning in March 2025 with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. He completed one more spacewalk during the mission, bringing his total career duration over four spacewalks to 25 hours and 56 minutes.
“Nick’s determination and dedication to space exploration is truly phenomenal,” said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “His leadership and commitment to mission excellence have driven progress aboard the International Space Station and prepared us for future missions as we continue to explore the solar system.”
In addition to his flight experience, Haig has held several technical and leadership positions at NASA. He supported the development of future spacecraft operations, participated in astronaut training, and played a key role in human spaceflight safety initiatives, drawing on his first-hand experience during the MS-10 launch abort.
“Nick brought calm, clarity and a spirit of teamwork to any situation,” said Scott Tingle, chief of NASA Johnson's Astronaut Office. “From his work in orbit to supporting crew operations here on Earth, he has exemplified what it means to be an astronaut. His influence will continue to shape the missions and astronauts that follow them.”
A native of Hoxie, Kansas, Hague is a brigadier general in the U.S. Space Force, where he is responsible for developing and implementing policy for all U.S. Space Force global operations, sustainment, training and readiness. He received a bachelor's degree in astronautics from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado and a master's degree in astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before joining NASA in 2013, he served as a development and test engineer supporting advanced technologies and Air Force operations at home and abroad.
“It has been an honor to serve as a NASA astronaut,” Hague said. “Working alongside incredible teams on the ground and in space has been the privilege of a lifetime. The International Space Station represents the very best of what humanity can achieve when we work together. I am grateful to have contributed to this mission, and I look forward to watching NASA, our partners and the next generation of explorers take it even further as we return to the Moon and go to Mars.”
To learn more about NASA astronauts and their contributions to space exploration, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts
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Shaniqua Vereen
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
[email protected]
