NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan has concluded a 12-year career with the American space agency and retired to continue his military service. This was announced by NASA’s press office on May 28, 2026. During his time with the agency, Morgan spent 272 days in space and set a record for total cumulative spacewalk time by an American astronaut on a single mission.
Selection and Mission Preparation
NASA selected Andrew Morgan as part of the 21st astronaut class in August 2013. At the time of his selection, he was a board-certified emergency physician with experience serving in elite U.S. Army Special Forces units. Morgan is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and the United States Army War College.
The astronaut was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, but considers New Castle, Pennsylvania his hometown.
ISS Mission and Spacewalk Record
On July 20, 2019 — the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar mission — Morgan launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft. He served aboard the International Space Station as part of Expeditions 60, 61, and 62, participating in hundreds of scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and station maintenance activities.
Over nine months in orbit, Morgan conducted seven spacewalks totaling 45 hours and 48 minutes, setting a record for American astronauts on a single mission. Four of the seven spacewalks were dedicated to repairing the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer — a particle detector designed to search for evidence of antimatter and dark matter.
During the mission, the astronaut traveled more than 185 million kilometers and completed over 4,300 orbits of Earth.
Work at NASA Following Return to Earth
After completing his spaceflight, Morgan held several positions within the Astronaut Office at Johnson Space Center: he led the mission support branch, served as a crew operations officer, and acted as the liaison astronaut with mission control during Expeditions 67 and 68. He also commanded an Army unit assigned to NASA.
During the final two years of his tenure at the agency, Morgan was detailed back to the U.S. Army, where he commanded the U.S. Army Garrison on Kwajalein Atoll and served as the senior military advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Colleagues’ Assessments
Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche highlighted the astronaut’s contributions to the advancement of human spaceflight. “Drew’s leadership and dedication to human spaceflight represent the very best of NASA,” reads her statement published by the agency. According to Wyche, Morgan’s impact on the agency’s work has been profound, and his commitment will continue to inspire future generations.
Scott Tingle, chief of the Astronaut Office at Johnson Space Center, also spoke highly of his colleague’s qualities. “Drew approached every task with quiet confidence, sharp judgment, and an unwavering dedication to his team,” NASA quoted him as saying. Tingle added that Morgan’s example will continue to influence the astronaut corps for years to come.
Morgan’s Own Words
In his statement, Andrew Morgan described his service in the nation’s space program as an honor. “I am proud to have represented my country in an international mission that brings together the best of humanity in pursuit of a common goal,” NASA quoted him as saying. The astronaut acknowledged that leaving the astronaut corps felt “bittersweet,” but expressed enthusiasm about continuing his military career.
Continued Service
According to NASA, U.S. Army Brigadier General Andrew Morgan currently serves as commander of White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. His military rank is brigadier general.
Источник: NASA Breaking News
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