Korean American astronaut Jonny Kim is leaving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) after 10 years to continue serving in the U.S. Navy.
NASA said on the 27th (local time) that this day was Jonny Kim's last day of work and that he will continue to serve as a U.S. Navy lieutenant commander. Jonny Kim was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017.
Born in 1984 to a Korean immigrant family in Los Angeles, Jonny Kim enlisted in the Navy in 2002 after graduating from high school. He then served in the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group (Navy SEALs) as a medic and sniper, among other roles, took part in more than 100 combat missions, and received the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with Combat "V."
While serving, Jonny Kim continued his studies, majoring in mathematics at the University of San Diego and graduating from Harvard Medical School. He then completed emergency medicine training and also earned qualifications as a naval aviator and military physician.
After being selected as a NASA astronaut, he trained for missions including the International Space Station (ISS). In April last year, he headed to space for the first time aboard the Russian Soyuz MS-27 and served as a flight engineer on the ISS.
Jonny Kim spent 245 days in space, orbiting Earth 3,920 times. On the ISS, he took part in a range of scientific experiments, including biology, human research, and technology development, and returned to Earth in December last year.
Jared Isaacman, NASA Director General, said Jonny Kim "expanded the boundaries of exploration and inspired many people." Jonny Kim said that from his experience at NASA, he learned that the most important factor determining the success or failure of a mission is, ultimately, people.