NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins speaks about her time onboard the International Space Station during Expeditions 48 and 49 Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Rubins became the first person to sequence DNA in space and completed her first mission when she landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in October 2016. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins speaks about her time onboard the International Space Station during Expeditions 48 and 49 Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Rubins became the first person to sequence DNA in space and completed her first mission when she landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in October 2016. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins speaks about her time onboard the International Space Station during Expeditions 48 and 49 Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Rubins became the first person to sequence DNA in space and completed her first mission when she landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in October 2016. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins speaks about her time onboard the International Space Station during Expeditions 48 and 49 Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Rubins became the first person to sequence DNA in space and completed her first mission when she landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in October 2016. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins answers a question from an audience member about her time onboard the International Space Station during Expeditions 48 and 49, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Rubins became the first person to sequence DNA in space and completed her first mission when she landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in October 2016. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins speaks about her time onboard the International Space Station during Expeditions 48 and 49 Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Rubins became the first person to sequence DNA in space and completed her first mission when she landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in October 2016. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins participates in a Facebook Live, answering questions about her time onboard the International Space Station during Expeditions 48 and 49, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Rubins became the first person to sequence DNA in space and completed her first mission when she landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in October 2016. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins conducts a DNA experiment for a STEM in 30 segment, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Rubins served on the International Space Station during Expeditions 48 and 49 and became the first person to sequence DNA in space. She completed her first mission when she landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in October 2016. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins conducts a DNA experiment for a STEM in 30 segment, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Rubins served on the International Space Station during Expeditions 48 and 49 and became the first person to sequence DNA in space. She completed her first mission when she landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in October 2016. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins conducts a DNA experiment for a STEM in 30 segment, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Rubins served on the International Space Station during Expeditions 48 and 49 and became the first person to sequence DNA in space. She completed her first mission when she landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in October 2016. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins participates in a Facebook Live, answering questions about her time onboard the International Space Station during Expeditions 48 and 49, Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Rubins became the first person to sequence DNA in space and completed her first mission when she landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan in October 2016. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins uses a chisel to collect a small geologic sample during a simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 17, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins takes a picture of a geologic sample during a simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 17, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins examines a geology sample she collected during a simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 13, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins selects the geology tool needed during a nighttime simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 16, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins walks in the lunar-like landscape during a nighttime simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 16, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

JSC2010-E-008396 (30 Sept. 2009) --- Kathleen (Kate) Rubins, NASA astronaut candidate class of 2009 [alternate portrait].

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins presents highlights from Expedition 48/49, her mission to the International Space Station, to team members and Space Camp students from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, April 6 at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. During her mission, Rubins became the first person to sequence DNA in space, researching technology development for deep-space exploration by humans, Earth and space science. She also conducted two spacewalks, in which she and NASA astronaut Jeff Williams installed an International Docking Adapter and performed maintenance of the station's external thermal control system and installed high-definition cameras.

NASA astronauts Andre Douglas, left, and Kate Rubins review traverse plans during a¬¬ nighttime simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 16, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronauts Andre Douglas, left, and Kate Rubins review procedures during a nighttime simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 16, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins conducts a tool audit to ensure she has all of her tools while NASA astronaut Andre Douglas reviews procedures during a nighttime simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 16, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas congratulate each other after the completion of the first simulated moonwalk in a week-long field test consisting of four simulated moonwalks and six advanced technology runs in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 13, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas push a tool cart loaded with lunar tools through the San Francisco Volcanic Field north of Flagstaff, Arizona, as they practice moonwalking operations for Artemis III on May 13, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins places a sample marker in the soil before collecting a sample during a nighttime simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 16, 2024. A sample marker provides a photographic reference point for science samples collected on the lunar surface. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronauts Kate Rubins, left, and Andre Douglas look at a map that shows their traverse route during a nighttime simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 16, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Andre Douglas pushes a tool cart across the lunar-like landscape while NASA astronaut Kate Rubins follows close behind during a¬¬ nighttime simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 16, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

iss048e066523 (8/26/2016) --- NASA astronaut Kate Rubins poses for a photo with Biomolecule Sequencer experiment hardware (Surface Pro 3 tablet and MinION) during the first sample initialization run. The image was taken in the Destiny U.S. Laboratory aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins uses a hammer to get a drive tube into the ground to collect a pristine soil sample during a¬¬ nighttime simulated moonwalk in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 16, 2024. The drive tube is the key piece of hardware for preserving the integrity of samples from the Moon. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is helped out of the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft just minutes after she, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Ryzhikov landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Rubins, Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov returned after 185 days in space having served as Expedition 63-64 crew members onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins talks to family via satellite phone outside the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft after she, Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Rubins, Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov returned after 185 days in space having served as Expedition 63-64 crew members onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is helped out of the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft just minutes after she, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Ryzhikov landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Rubins, Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov returned after 185 days in space having served as Expedition 63-64 crew members onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins uses the hand controller on her wrist to display information while wearing the Joint AR (Joint Augmented Reality Visual Informatics System) display during an advanced technology run in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 21, 2024. The suit display features include navigation, photo capture, graphical format of consumables, procedure viewing, mission control updates, and other augmented reality cues and graphics. The team successfully tested navigation displays using data from four different data streams: GPS (Global Positioning System)/IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), camera/IMU, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and static maps. Technology like this may be used for future Artemis missions to augment mission control communication and help guide crew back to the lunar lander. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

An engineer helps NASA astronaut Kate Rubins adjust the lens on the Joint AR (Joint Augmented Reality Visual Informatics System) display she’s wearing during an advanced technology run in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 19, 2024. The suit display features include navigation, photo capture, graphical format of consumables, procedure viewing, mission control updates, and other augmented reality cues and graphics. The team successfully tested navigation displays using data from four different data streams: GPS (Global Positioning System)/IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), camera/IMU, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and static maps. Technology like this may be used for future Artemis missions to augment mission control communication and help guide crew back to the lunar lander. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins walks through the lunar-like landscape wearing the Joint AR (Joint Augmented Reality Visual Informatics System) display during an advanced technology run in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 19, 2024. The suit display features include navigation, photo capture, graphical format of consumables, procedure viewing, mission control updates, and other augmented reality cues and graphics. The team successfully tested navigation displays using data from four different data streams: GPS (Global Positioning System)/IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), camera/IMU, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and static maps. Technology like this may be used for future Artemis missions to augment mission control communication and help guide crew back to the lunar lander. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins walks through the lunar-like landscape wearing the Joint AR (Joint Augmented Reality Visual Informatics System) display during an advanced technology run in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 19, 2024. The suit display features include navigation, photo capture, graphical format of consumables, procedure viewing, mission control updates, and other augmented reality cues and graphics. The team successfully tested navigation displays using data from four different data streams: GPS (Global Positioning System)/IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), camera/IMU, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and static maps. Technology like this may be used for future Artemis missions to augment mission control communication and help guide crew back to the lunar lander. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins uses the hand controller on her wrist to display information while wearing the Joint AR (Joint Augmented Reality Visual Informatics System) display during an advanced technology run in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 19, 2024. The suit display features include navigation, photo capture, graphical format of consumables, procedure viewing, mission control updates, and other augmented reality cues and graphics. The team successfully tested navigation displays using data from four different data streams: GPS (Global Positioning System)/IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), camera/IMU, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and static maps. Technology like this may be used for future Artemis missions to augment mission control communication and help guide crew back to the lunar lander. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins opens the sun visor on the Joint AR (Joint Augmented Reality Visual Informatics System) display she’s wearing during an advanced technology run in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 19, 2024. The suit display features include navigation, photo capture, graphical format of consumables, procedure viewing, mission control updates, and other augmented reality cues and graphics. The team successfully tested navigation displays using data from four different data streams: GPS (Global Positioning System)/IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), camera/IMU, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and static maps. Technology like this may be used for future Artemis missions to augment mission control communication and help guide crew back to the lunar lander. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins pushes a cart through the lunar-like landscape while wearing the Joint AR (Joint Augmented Reality Visual Informatics System) display during an advanced technology run in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 19, 2024. The suit display features include navigation, photo capture, graphical format of consumables, procedure viewing, mission control updates, and other augmented reality cues and graphics. The team successfully tested navigation displays using data from four different data streams: GPS (Global Positioning System)/IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), camera/IMU, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and static maps. Technology like this may be used for future Artemis missions to augment mission control communication and help guide crew back to the lunar lander. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins uses tongs to collect geologic samples while wearing the Joint AR (Joint Augmented Reality Visual Informatics System) display during an advanced technology run in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 21, 2024. The suit display features include navigation, photo capture, graphical format of consumables, procedure viewing, mission control updates, and other augmented reality cues and graphics. The team successfully tested navigation displays using data from four different data streams: GPS (Global Positioning System)/IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), camera/IMU, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and static maps. Technology like this may be used for future Artemis missions to augment mission control communication and help guide crew back to the lunar lander. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins uses tongs to pick up a geologic sample while wearing the Joint AR (Joint Augmented Reality Visual Informatics System) display during an advanced technology run in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 21, 2024. The suit display features include navigation, photo capture, graphical format of consumables, procedure viewing, mission control updates, and other augmented reality cues and graphics. The team successfully tested navigation displays using data from four different data streams: GPS (Global Positioning System)/IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), camera/IMU, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and static maps. Technology like this may be used for future Artemis missions to augment mission control communication and help guide crew back to the lunar lander. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins gives a high five to support personnel is she is helped out of the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft just minutes after she, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Rubins, Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov returned after 185 days in space having served as Expedition 63-64 crew members onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

NASA astronaut Andre Douglas raises an American flag as NASA astronaut Kate Rubins looks on during their first simulated moonwalk in a week-long field test consisting of four simulated moonwalks and six advanced technology runs in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 13, 2024. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

iss049e012024 (9/28/2016) --- NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is photographed performing sample processing, setup of the Sample Module. The Hard to Wet Surfaces (Eli Lilly-Hard to Wet Surfaces) investigation studies how certain materials used in the pharmaceutical industry dissolve in water while in microgravity. Results from this investigation could help improve the design of tablets that dissolve in the body to deliver drugs, thereby improving drug design for medicines used in space and on Earth.

iss049e000758 (9/9/2016) --- NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins, wearing the colorful "Courage" flight suit, is photographed in the Destiney laboratory abroad the International Space Station (ISS). The suit was painted by children in the M. D. Anderson cancer ward through the hospital’s Arts in Medicine Program, which helps pediatric patients cope with cancer treatment through art.

NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas review test objectives and traverse plans before their first simulated moonwalk in a week-long field test consisting of four simulated moonwalks and six advanced technology runs in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Northern Arizona on May 13, 2024 Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is seen while having her Sokol suit pressure checked during the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft fit check, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubins, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos are preparing for launch to the International Space Station in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 14, Baikonur time. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is seen as she climbs inside the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft during the final fit check, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubins and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins waves as she departs the Cosmonaut Hotel with fellow crewmates Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos to suit-up for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft with Ryzhikov, Kud-Sverchkov, and Rubins occurred at 1:45 a.m. EDT to begin their six-month mission onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins performs the traditional door signing at the Cosmonaut Hotel prior to departing the hotel for launch on a Soyuz rocket with fellow crewmates Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ryzhikov, Kud-Sverchkov, and Rubins launched in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft at 1:45 a.m. EDT to begin a six-month mission onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov, center, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov sit in chairs outside the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft after they landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Rubins, Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov returned after 185 days in space having served as Expedition 63-64 crew members onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins waters a tree bearing her name as part of traditional pre-launch activities, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Rubins, along with Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is seen in quarantine, behind glass, during a press conference, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Rubins, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is seen in quarantine, behind glass, during a press conference, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Rubins, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is seen while having her Sokol suit pressure checked during the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft fit check, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubins, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos are preparing for launch to the International Space Station in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 14, Baikonur time. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins boards a Russian MI-8 helicopter to take her to Karaganda after she, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, landed in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Rubins, Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov returned after 185 days in space having served as Expedition 63-64 crew members onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is seen while waiting to have her Sokol suit pressure checked during the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft fit check, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubins, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos are preparing for launch to the International Space Station in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 14, Baikonur time. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins signs her name to a wall mural bearing the picture of a Soyuz launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Museum, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubins and Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 crew member Kate Rubins of NASA plays a game of chess, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Rubins and Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Ruscosmos are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 prime crew member NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, and backup crew member NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei are seen during a tour of the Baikonur Cosmodrome Museum, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubins, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is seen in quarantine, behind glass, during a press conference, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Rubins, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins signs a memento while onboard a Russian MI-8 helicopter that will take her to Karaganda after she, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, landed in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Rubins, Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov returned after 185 days in space having served as Expedition 63-64 crew members onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, seated, and NASA Flight Surgeon Natacha Chough enjoy some fresh air outside the medical tent shortly after Rubins, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov landed in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Rubins, Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov returned after 185 days in space having served as Expedition 63-64 crew members onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley signs a proclamation declaring April 18, 2013, "NASA Day in Alabama." Looking on, from left, are Marshall Space Flight Center Director Patrick Scheuermann, astronauts Kathleen "Kate" Rubins and Jack Fischer, and State Sen. Bill Holtzclaw of Madison, who represents Madison and Limestone counties.

Expedition 64 prime crew member, Kate Rubins of NASA lays flowers at the site where Russian space icons are interred as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 at Red Square in Moscow. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Irina Spector)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins smiles as Adviser to the Head of Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) Yuri Malenchenko gives her flowers and welcomes her home after she, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov landed there Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Rubins, Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov returned after 185 days in space having served as Expedition 63-64 crew members onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins rest as NASA Flight Surgeon Natacha Chough, left, and Russian Nurse Raksana Batsmanova, right, monitor her condition after she, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov landed there Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Rubins, Ryzhikov and Kud-Sverchkov returned after 185 days in space having served as Expedition 63-64 crew members onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, center, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, right, of Roscosmos, wave as they depart the Cosmonaut Hotel to suit-up for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft with Ryzhikov, Kud-Sverchkov, and Rubins occurred at 1:45 a.m. EDT to begin their six-month mission onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, center, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, right, pose for a picture during the final Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft fit check, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubins, Ryzhikov, and Kud-Sverchkov are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 prime crew members NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, center, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, right, of Roscosmos, are seen in quarantine, behind glass, during a press conference, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Rubins, Ryzhikov, and Kud-Sverchkov are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, center, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, right, of Roscosmos, are seen as they depart the Cosmonaut Hotel to suit-up for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft with Ryzhikov, Kud-Sverchkov, and Rubins occurred at 1:45 a.m. EDT to begin their six-month mission onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, left, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, center, of Roscosmos, and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, are seen as they depart the Cosmonaut Hotel to suit-up for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft with Ryzhikov, Kud-Sverchkov, Rubins occurred at 1:45 a.m. EDT to begin their six-month mission onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, center, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, right, of Roscosmos, pose for a picture in quarantine, behind glass, following a press conference, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Rubins, Ryzhikov, and Kud-Sverchkov are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, center, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, right, of Roscosmos, pose for a picture in quarantine, behind glass, following a press conference, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Rubins, Ryzhikov, and Kud-Sverchkov are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 prime crew member NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is seen during a press conference prior to her launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

iss064e025418 (Jan. 21, 2021) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 64 Flight Engineer Kate Rubins sequences DNA aboard the International Space Station for an experiment that seeks to diagnose medical conditions and identify microbes. Learn more about the first sequencing of DNA in space: https://go.nasa.gov/2VPsQFJ

jsc2024e031840 --- NASA astronaut Kate Rubins (right) takes a photo of NASA astronaut Andre Douglas (left) as he raises an American flag during a simulated moonwalk in a rock yard at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is seen inside the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft during the fit check to with Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio are preparing for launch to the International Space Station in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 14, Baikonur time. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins dons her Sokol suit during the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft fit check with Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio are preparing for launch to the International Space Station in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 14, Baikonur time. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 prime crew members, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, center, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos pose for a photo at the bus after arriving in Baikonur, Kazakhstan from the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. They are scheduled to launch from the Baikonur Cosmosdrome on a Soyuz rocket October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins signs autographs at the NASA booth set up on the National Mall as part of the National Day of Service, Saturday, January 19, 2013, in Washington. NASA along with other federal agencies set up along the Mall as part of events surrounding the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins smiles for the camera while signing autographs at the NASA booth set up on the National Mall as part of the National Day of Service, Saturday, January 19, 2013, in Washington. NASA along with other federal agencies set up along the Mall as part of events surrounding the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is seen inside the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft during the fit check to with Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio are preparing for launch to the International Space Station in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 14, Baikonur time. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 prime crew members, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, center, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos arrive in Baikonur, Kazakhstan from the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. They are scheduled to launch from the Baikonur Cosmosdrome on a Soyuz rocket October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 prime crew members, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, center, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos greet Russian officials after arriving in Baikonur, Kazakhstan from the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. They are scheduled to launch from the Baikonur Cosmosdrome on a Soyuz rocket October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins dons her Sokol suit during the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft fit check with Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio are preparing for launch to the International Space Station in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 14, Baikonur time. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 prime crew member, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, center, affixes an Expedition 64 sticker inside the airplane that delivered her and her crew mates Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, front, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos to Baikonur, Kazakhstan from the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. They are scheduled to launch from the Baikonur Cosmosdrome on a Soyuz rocket October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 crewmembers Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, and Kate Rubins of NASA pose for a group photograph with Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin, mission management, and the backup crew at the launch pad, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Kud-Sverchkov, Ryzhikov, and Rubins launched at 1:45 a.m. EDT to begin six-month mission onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 crew member Kate Rubins of NASA signs in for Soyuz qualification exams as crew mates Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, center, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos look on, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Irina Spector)

Expedition 64 crew member Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos signs in for Soyuz qualification exams, as crew mates Kate Rubins of NASA, left and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos look on, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Irina Spector)

Expedition 64 prime crew member Kate Rubins of NASA, is seen during a press conference prior to her launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, back, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, middle, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, front, of Roscosmos, are seen inside the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft during a fit check, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio are preparing for launch to the International Space Station in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 14, Baikonur time. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, center, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, right, of Roscosmos are seen as they don their Sokol suits during the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft fit check, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio are preparing for launch to the International Space Station in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 14, Baikonur time. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 crew members Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, left, and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, center, and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, right, pose for a picture as part of pre-launch activities, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The trio are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, back, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, middle, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos are seen inside the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft during a fit check, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio are preparing for launch to the International Space Station in their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 14, Baikonur time. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 prime crew members, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, center, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos visit Red Square to lay flowers at the site where Russian space icons are interred as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Moscow. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Irina Spector)

Expedition 64 Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, right, is seen with fellow crewmates Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos and Kate Rubins of NASA as they speak with Roscosmos and NASA managers after having their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio launched at 1:45 a.m. EDT to begin a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 NASA astronaut Kate Rubins affixes an Expedition 64 sticker inside the bus carrying her and fellow crewmates Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos to the launch pad, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio launched at 1:45 a.m. EDT to begin a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 prime crew members, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, center, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos pose for a photo in front of the Tsar Bell in Red Square after laying flowers at the site where Russian space icons are interred as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Moscow. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Irina Spector)

Expedition 64 prime crew members, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, center, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos pose for a photo in front of the Tsar Cannon in Red Square after laying flowers at the site where Russian space icons are interred as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Moscow. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Irina Spector)

Expedition 64 crew members NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, center, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, right, pose for a picture as part of pre-launch activities, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The trio are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft on October 14. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)