AUGUST 11, 2025 – Nothing can be more exciting as returning to earth from space, unless you do it twice.
U.S. Army Astronaut Col. Anne C. McClain returned to Earth Aug. 9 after nearly five months aboard the International Space Station. During her second flight into space, she conducted numerous experiments and tasks, including a spacewalk totaling 13 hours and 8 minutes.
“Earth is, by far, the best planet in the solar system and we are excited to come back,” McClain said. “Spaceflight gives you a new appreciation for what we have, and the fragility of our environment. It also gives us a renewed faith in humanity – spaceflight truly brings out the best in people. Our safe flight was a result of people all around the world working together, dreaming big, and focusing on cooperation. We hope it can be a reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together.
“The spacewalk was absolutely a highlight of this mission,” she added. “I, along with Air Force Maj. Nichole Ayers, conducted a spacewalk to install a support structure for a future upgraded solar array, and we moved an antenna that is used for visiting vehicles that had been experiencing some structural blockage with line-of-sight communications. It was a success on the technical side, and it is absolutely incredible to work outside of the space station. You really get a sense for orbital dynamics, watching the sun rise or set every 45 minutes and seeing the Earth spin below you. It is an experience that words cannot adequately describe.”
McClain, serving as Crew Dragon Endurance commander, along with U.S. Air Force Maj. Nichole Ayers and mission specialists Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov from Russia launched March 14 for a mission aboard the International Space Station during Expedition 73. Together, they served for 148 days.
“This flight was different in a lot of ways,” McClain said. “On the last flight, I flew on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft as a flight engineer. My responsibilities were more on the technical side – monitoring and regulating air composition and pressure, and assisting the commander with off nominal situations, and it was all in Russian language.
“This mission, I was the commander of the SpaceX Crew-10 Dragon,” she added. “I was responsible for the overall safe execution of the mission and cohesiveness of the crew. I had a very strong crew, all professional pilots from different counties and services, and it was an absolute honor to be selected to lead them.”
She explained how the Army prepared her for this grand adventure by focusing on accomplishing the mission through leadership and teamwork and said it was excellent preparation for spaceflight.
“Mission first, people always,” McClain said. “I gained a lot of technical skills during my time in the Army, flying helicopters, being a test pilot. But what I leverage more is my leadership and team experience, along with the formal education I got through professional military education. I had a full box of tools to pull from when issues arose.”
McClain also had words of wisdom for new Army leaders who might one day want to follow in her space boots.
“Be excellent in whatever job you have right now,” McClain said. “Have a plan, but approach that plan with flexibility. I knew I wanted to be an astronaut, but when I chose to serve in the Army, I knew the needs of the Army came first. I rarely got my choice of duty station, or job at that duty station, but in every job I learned something and contributed something valuable.”
She also suggested finding good mentors, adding that the Army is full of them.
“Find the people who are most respected in the jobs you are interested in, pay attention to how they operate, and listen to their advice,” McClain said. “I had mentors that gave me great advice along the way and saved me from having to learn some hard lessons myself. Army leaders want you to succeed, and they will help you do so.”
As this adventure closes, McClain talked about her team and is looking for what comes next.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to represent our Army, and Army Space and Missile Defense Command, on the highest ground,” she added. “I am excited to see what is next for Army space, and for the current and future Army astronauts.”
The U.S. Army’s involvement in the nation’s space program dates back to the 1958 launch of Explorer 1, America’s first satellite, and it was a modified U.S. Army rocket that carried the first U.S. astronaut into space in 1961.
Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, commanding general of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, spoke of how proud the Army is of McClain and her continuing the U.S. Army’s 67-year legacy of excellence to the nation’s space program.
“We are grateful to have Col. McClain safe at home from her mission on the International Space Station,” Gainey said. “Anne’s selfless service and personal courage are a testament to the heroism of not only our astronaut Soldiers on the ultimate high ground but also those Soldiers serving in foxholes across the globe.
“Anne’s leadership skills reflect highly on herself, her team and the Army’s space mission,” he added. “Here at SMDC, we are so proud of all she has already accomplished and look forward to all she will continue to accomplish in the future.”
Story by Jason Cutshaw
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command