
NASA astronaut Drew Feustel speaks to students at John Burroughs Elementary School about his experiences on two space shuttle missions, STS-125 and STS-134, and a long duration mission onboard the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. Feustel most recently spent 197 days living and working onboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 55 and as commander of Expedition 56. Feustel ventured outside the space station on three spacewalks, moving him up to second among U.S. spacewalkers with a cumulative time of 61 hours 48 minutes over nine spacewalks. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Scott Tingle speaks to students about his time onboard the International Space Station, Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, DC. Tingle spent 168 days onboard the International Space Station as part of Expeditions 54 and 55. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Scott Tingle presents a montage for McKinley Technology High School to Principal Louise Jones before speaking to students about his time onboard the International Space Station, Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, DC. Tingle spent 168 days onboard the International Space Station as part of Expeditions 54 and 55. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Scott Tingle presents a montage for Washington, DC's Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education to Ahnna Smith, Interim Deputy Mayor for Education, prior to speaking to students about his time onboard the International Space Station, Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, DC. Tingle spent 168 days onboard the International Space Station as part of Expeditions 54 and 55. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Drew Feustel speaks to students at John Burroughs Elementary School about his experiences on two space shuttle missions, STS-125 and STS-134, and a long duration mission onboard the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. Feustel most recently spent 197 days living and working onboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 55 and as commander of Expedition 56. Feustel ventured outside the space station on three spacewalks, moving him up to second among U.S. spacewalkers with a cumulative time of 61 hours 48 minutes over nine spacewalks. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Scott Tingle speaks to students about his time onboard the International Space Station, Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, DC. Tingle spent 168 days onboard the International Space Station as part of Expeditions 54 and 55. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Drew Feustel speaks to students at John Burroughs Elementary School about his experiences on two space shuttle missions, STS-125 and STS-134, and a long duration mission onboard the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. Feustel most recently spent 197 days living and working onboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 55 and as commander of Expedition 56. Feustel ventured outside the space station on three spacewalks, moving him up to second among U.S. spacewalkers with a cumulative time of 61 hours 48 minutes over nine spacewalks. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Drew Feustel speaks to students at John Burroughs Elementary School about his experiences on two space shuttle missions, STS-125 and STS-134, and a long duration mission onboard the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. Feustel most recently spent 197 days living and working onboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 55 and as commander of Expedition 56. Feustel ventured outside the space station on three spacewalks, moving him up to second among U.S. spacewalkers with a cumulative time of 61 hours 48 minutes over nine spacewalks. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Drew Feustel points to mission patches on his flight suit as he speaks to students at John Burroughs Elementary School about his experiences on two space shuttle missions, STS-125 and STS-134, and a long duration mission onboard the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. Feustel most recently spent 197 days living and working onboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 55 and as commander of Expedition 56. Feustel ventured outside the space station on three spacewalks, moving him up to second among U.S. spacewalkers with a cumulative time of 61 hours 48 minutes over nine spacewalks. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Scott Tingle speaks to students about his time onboard the International Space Station, Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, DC. Tingle spent 168 days onboard the International Space Station as part of Expeditions 54 and 55. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Scott Tingle speaks to students about his time onboard the International Space Station, Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, DC. Tingle spent 168 days onboard the International Space Station as part of Expeditions 54 and 55. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Scott Tingle speaks to students about his time onboard the International Space Station, Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 at McKinley Technology High School in Washington, DC. Tingle spent 168 days onboard the International Space Station as part of Expeditions 54 and 55. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Drew Feustel speaks to students at John Burroughs Elementary School about his experiences on two space shuttle missions, STS-125 and STS-134, and a long duration mission onboard the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. Feustel most recently spent 197 days living and working onboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 55 and as commander of Expedition 56. Feustel ventured outside the space station on three spacewalks, moving him up to second among U.S. spacewalkers with a cumulative time of 61 hours 48 minutes over nine spacewalks. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor presents a montage from Expeditions 56 and 57 to Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor presents a montage from Expeditions 56 and 57 to the students of Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

SpaceX Crew-1 NASA astronauts, Victor Glover, left, and Mike Hopkins, right, answer questions by students from the Learn DC public charter school at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Washington. Hopkins, Glover, NASA astronaut Shannon Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, launched on the first crew rotation mission to the International Space Station for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program and spent 168 days in space across Expeditions 64 and 65. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Excel Academy Principle, Tenia Pritchard, introduces NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor to speak about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor is hugged by students after a presentation about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

SpaceX Crew-1 NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins and Shannon Walker, hand out NASA bags to students of the Learn DC public charter school at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Washington. Hopkins, Walker, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, launched on the first crew rotation mission to the International Space Station for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program and spent 168 days in space across Expeditions 64 and 65. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

SpaceX Crew-1 NASA astronauts, from left, Victor Glover, Mike Hopkins, and Shannon Walker, read a book to students from the Learn DC public charter school at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Washington. Hopkins, Glover, Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, launched on the first crew rotation mission to the International Space Station for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program and spent 168 days in space across Expeditions 64 and 65. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor poses for a group photo after a presentation about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor listens as a student asks her a question about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS) at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

SpaceX Crew-1 NASA astronauts, from left, Shannon Walker, Mike Hopkins, and Victor Glover answer questions by students from the Learn DC public charter school at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Washington. Hopkins, Glover, Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, launched on the first crew rotation mission to the International Space Station for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program and spent 168 days in space across Expeditions 64 and 65. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Dr. Serena Auñón-Chancellor speaks about her experience on Expeditions 56 and 57 onboard the International Space Station (ISS), during an interview, at Excel Academy Public Charter School, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Auñón-Chancellor spent 197 days living and working onboard the ISS and contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science while there. She is also a doctor and started her career with NASA as a flight surgeon in 2006. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

SpaceX Crew-1 NASA astronauts, from left, Shannon Walker, Mike Hopkins, and Victor Glover read a book to students from the Learn DC public charter school at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Washington. Hopkins, Glover, Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, launched on the first crew rotation mission to the International Space Station for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program and spent 168 days in space across Expeditions 64 and 65. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

“I have to be honest, NASA had not really been on my radar until it just was. I went to grad school and in graduate school I actually studied myotonic dystrophy. At the end of my graduate school years I decided I want to go into public service. I applied for this thing called the Presidential Management Fellowship and NASA had an opening! I thought to myself ‘Oh this could be so interesting! They run so many technology and science programs. I'll apply and see what happens.’ “Lo and behold, I got an interview! I was so excited and the idea of working at an agency at NASA blew me out of the water and I said, ‘I am totally taking this.’ “I had a mentor say something to me that I think rings really true. He said, ‘when you work in public service, there’s no doubt that you’re doing the right thing.’ I think that idea drove me to public service. When you work for a company -- there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but you’re really helping the company to meet its bottom line. When you work for a federal agency or a state agency, you’re working to ensure the needs are met for the public. You're really doing something to benefit others. It’s not to benefit the company and many times it’s not just for yourself, so you always know you’re doing the right thing. I think what drove me was the idea of being able to do something that felt intrinsically fulfilling.” Dr. Ruth Siboni, executive officer for the Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) mission directorate poses for a photo, Monday, October 5, 2020 on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

SpaceX Crew-1 NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins, center, displays one of the gifts that he received while living at the International Space Station, while he and crew mates NASA astronaut Shannon Walker, left, and Victor Glover, right, answer questions by students from the Learn DC public charter school at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Washington. Hopkins, Glover, Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, launched on the first crew rotation mission to the International Space Station for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program and spent 168 days in space across Expeditions 64 and 65. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, points to the Expedition 71 patch on her flight suit as she answers a question from students, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington. Dyson and fellow crewmates Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps served as part of Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Expedition 71 NASA astronaut Michael Barratt speaks to students, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington. Barratt and fellow crewmates Matthew Dominick, Jeanette Epps, and Tracy Dyson served as part of Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Expedition 71 NASA astronauts Jeanette Epps, left, Tracy Dyson, and Michael Barratt, speak to students, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington. Epps, Barratt, and Dyson served as part of Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, back with arms extended, poses for a group photo with school students from Bunker Hill Elementary, Bancroft Elementary, and E.W. Stokes Public Charter School at the conclusion of an educational event, Thursday, April 28, 2022, at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington. Glover most recently served as pilot and second-in-command on the Crew-1 SpaceX Crew Dragon, named Resilience, which landed after a long duration mission aboard the International Space Station, May 2, 2021. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 71 NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, left, and Jeanette Epps, speak to students, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington. Dominick, Epps, and fellow crewmates Michael Barratt and Tracy Dyson served as part of Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Expedition 71 NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, left, and Jeanette Epps, speak to students, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington. Dominick, Epps, and fellow crewmates Michael Barratt and Tracy Dyson served as part of Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Expedition 71 NASA astronauts Jeanette Epps, left, Tracy Dyson, and Michael Barratt, speak to students, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington. Epps, Barratt, and Dyson served as part of Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Expedition 71 NASA astronauts Jeanette Epps, left, Tracy Dyson, and Michael Barratt, speak to students, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington. Epps, Barratt, and Dyson served as part of Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover talks with school students at the conclusion of an educational event, Thursday, April 28, 2022, at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington. Glover most recently served as pilot and second-in-command on the Crew-1 SpaceX Crew Dragon, named Resilience, which landed after a long duration mission aboard the International Space Station, May 2, 2021. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 71 NASA astronauts Jeanette Epps, left, Tracy Dyson, and Michael Barratt, speak to students, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington. Epps, Barratt, and Dyson served as part of Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Aya Collins, director of the engagement division of NASA’s Office of Communications, left, and Lisa Frazier, lead for strategic events and engagements in NASA’s Office of Communications, speak to students before introducing Expedition 71 NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick and Jeanette Epps, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington. Dominick, Epps, and fellow crewmates Michael Barratt and Tracy Dyson served as part of Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Expedition 71 NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, left, and Tracy Dyson, speak to students, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Washington. Barratt, Dyson, and fellow crewmates Matthew Dominick and Jeanette Epps served as part of Expedition 71 aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)