Anne McClain

Explore the remarkable life and career of Anne McClain, American astronaut, U.S. Army officer, engineer, and explorer. Learn about her education, missions to space, legacy, and some of her memorable quotes on exploration, humanity, and aspiration.

Introduction

Anne Charlotte McClain (born June 7, 1979) is an American astronaut, engineer, U.S. Army officer, and test pilot.

Her career blends military service, aerospace engineering, test piloting, and spaceflight — making her a figure of inspiration for STEM, defense, and space exploration communities.

Early Life and Education

Anne McClain was born on June 7, 1979, in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga Preparatory School (Spokane) for high school.

From a young age, McClain aspired to be an astronaut.

She went on to the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 2002 with a degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering and receiving her commission as an Army officer.

After West Point, she won a Marshall Scholarship which enabled her to study in the United Kingdom. She earned a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Bath (2004) and a Master’s in International Relations from the University of Bristol (2005).

Her academic work included research on unsteady aerodynamics and flow visualization of delta wings, published via the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Military and Flight Career

Following her education, McClain served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot:

• She flew OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters, and was deployed to Iraq, logging more than 800 hours of flight in combat missions over 15 months.

• Over her military career, she accumulated experience on multiple aircraft types (rotary and fixed wing), servicing roles such as instructor pilot and operations roles.

• In 2013, she graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland — a credential that is often associated with astronaut candidacy.

Her military career and flight hours laid a robust foundation for selection to NASA’s astronaut corps.

NASA Astronaut Career & Space Missions

Selection & Training

In June 2013, McClain was chosen as part of NASA Astronaut Group 21, among eight candidates selected that year. July 2015.

Her training included systems briefings, ISS systems, robotics, spacewalk training (EVA), T-38 flight training, physiological and survival training.

First Mission: Expedition 58/59

McClain’s first spaceflight was aboard Soyuz MS-11, launching in December 2018 alongside Oleg Kononenko and David Saint-Jacques. flight engineer for Expedition 58/59, spending 204 days on the ISS.

During this mission, she completed two spacewalks (EVAs) totaling 13 hours and 8 minutes.

Second Mission: SpaceX Crew-10 / Expedition 72/73

McClain was selected as commander of SpaceX Crew-10, launched in March 2025, which carries her to Expeditions 72 and 73 aboard the ISS.

On this mission, she also carried out one EVA (spacewalk) of 5 hours, 44 minutes.

As of present records, her cumulative time in space is 351 days, 7 hours, and 45 minutes.

Achievements & Highlights

• McClain’s call sign is “Annimal”, reflecting her history in rugby.

• She is one of only a few astronauts to serve as crew commander of a mission to the ISS.

• In May 2025, McClain and fellow astronaut Nichole Ayers completed the 5th-ever all-female spacewalk outside the ISS, preparing for solar arrays and moving antennas.

Legacy, Challenges & Personal Life

Legacy & Influence

Anne McClain’s career is a testament to persistence, cross-disciplinary strength, and leadership in space exploration. She bridges military, aerospace engineering, and human spaceflight in a compelling way. Her becoming a commander and leading missions positions her as a role model, especially for women and underrepresented groups in STEM and defense.

Her nickname, “Annimal,” and her rugby background emphasize that physical discipline, team sports, and resilience play a role in shaping astronauts.

Personal & Public Controversy

In 2019, during her divorce from Summer Worden, her former spouse accused her of illicit access to financial accounts from the ISS — a claim that gained media attention as potentially the first “crime in space” allegation.

The case was legally contested, with Worden later indicted for false statements; McClain denied wrongdoing.

In 2023, McClain returned to the University of Bristol (her alma mater) to accept an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering, talk about her space experiences, and reflect on the future of space exploration.

Notable Quotes & Reflections

Here are several meaningful quotes attributed to Anne McClain, reflecting her views on space, humanity, and aspiration:

• “Spaceflight gives us a chance to reflect on the context of our existence. We are reminded that we are human before any of our differences, before all of the lines are drawn that divide us.”

• “It’s really amazing how the human mind and body can adapt to new environments. How the once incredible can become so normal.”

• “With so much conflict in the world, space exploration can be a beacon of hope.”

• “The training flow for the space station is a year-and-a-half to two years.”

• “When you are finally in space and you're finally looking back at Earth and you realize for the first time in your life there's nothing standing between you and your dream, it's just so hard to describe the profound impact of that.”

• “No one cares about race or religion or nationality in space travel. We're all just part of Team Human.”

These words underscore her belief in unity, adaptation, and the transformational power of looking back at our planet from space.

Lessons & Inspirations

From Anne McClain’s journey, we can derive several lessons:

• Dream early, train deeply.
  She held onto the dream of being an astronaut from childhood and built it step by step through rigorous education, military service, and test pilot training.

• Adaptability is key.
  Her quote about adaptation reminds us that what seems extraordinary can become routine with discipline and repeated effort.

• Look beyond divisions.
  Her reflections on humanity and unity — especially from space — emphasize that many divisions on Earth are artificial.

• Take leadership when given the chance.
  Becoming commander is not just a title — it reflects trust, competence, and responsibility to guide others in extreme environments.

• Resilience under scrutiny.
  The public controversy in her personal life didn’t define her career; what endures is her record of service and professionalism.

Conclusion

Anne McClain continues to be one of the noteworthy astronauts of her generation — strong in technical expertise, leadership, and humanistic perspective. Her dual roles as a U.S. Army officer and spacefarer enrich her story, and her missions to the ISS deepen humanity’s presence beyond Earth.

If you wish, I can prepare a timeline of her missions and awards, or a deeper exploration of her experiences during EVA (spacewalks). Would you like me to do that?