Russia's Soyuz MS27 lands on space station...Korean NASA astronaut Johnny Kim sheds new light on his colorful history
Apr 08, 2025
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The Associated Press reported that Russia's Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft carrying Johnny Kim, Russian astronauts Sergey Ridgkov, and Alexei Zubritzky docked to the ISS at around 6 p.m. on the 8th (Korea time).
The Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 2:47 p.m. on a Soyuz 2.1a rocket, entered low orbit safely nine minutes later and docked to the ISS about three hours later. Johnny Kim and the Russian astronauts will stay on the ISS for about eight months (245 days), conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations before returning to Earth on Dec. 9.
Built in 1998 led by the United States and Russia, the ISS is a multinational experimental structure the size of a soccer field that orbits the Earth 15.54 times a day in an orbit of 400 km above the Earth. In addition to the two countries, 13 countries, including 11 European countries, Japan, and Canada, are participating in joint operation.
In July 2022, NASA and Roscosmos signed an agreement to exchange spacecraft seats to secure alternative transportation for emergencies, and are carrying astronauts from other countries on their own spacecraft launching to the ISS.
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Born in 1984 to a Korean immigrant family in Los Angeles (LA), California, Johnny Kim was selected as an active-duty soldier, doctor, and NASA astronaut, drawing attention from the United States.
Johnny Kim joined the Navy immediately after graduating from Santa Monica High School in 2002 and began his military career, and was deployed as a special combat agent after training in the Navy SEAL to obtain various special operation qualifications such as divers, special patrols, and sliders. Earlier, Johnny Kim confessed that he suffered from violence and abuse by his father, who was a hardworking but alcoholic when he was a child, and that he dreamed of joining the Navy SEAL to become a strong person who could protect his beloved mother and younger brother. Johnny Kim, who was dispatched to the Iraq War and received a number of military medals and commendations for more than 100 special operations, decided to challenge himself as a military doctor with the determination to live fiercely to the share of his comrades who died at the time.
Later, he later went to San Diego University to study mathematics and graduated with a Ph.D. in medicine from Harvard University through the benefits of the U.S. military's educational support program. It is said that the dream of becoming an astronaut was inspired by Scott Farajinski, a doctor and astronaut whom he met while attending Harvard University. Johnny Kim is also a Navy fighter pilot and flight surgeon who completed pilot training in the Navy.
According to NASA, Johnny Kim enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, doing outdoor activities, strength training, and playing video games.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
