The U.S. Army is heading back into space, and this time it’s with one of its finest. Col. Frank Rubio, a decorated combat aviator, physician, and astronaut, has been selected for the upcoming 2027 Artemis III mission.

NASA announced the assignment this week, marking another historic moment for America’s military contributions beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Rubio will join a four-man crew tasked with testing critical systems inside Earth’s orbit before the Artemis IV program sets its sights on the moon’s South Pole in 2028.

That future mission intends to be the first crewed lunar landing at one of the most challenging and unexplored terrains in space exploration.

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For Rubio, this isn’t his first extraordinary expedition. The soldier-turned-spacefarer spent a record 371 days aboard the International Space Station from September 2022 to September 2023—logging more time in orbit than any other American in a single mission.

The journey pushed him through 5,963 laps around Earth and 157 million miles of travel. Rubio also endured three grueling spacewalks totaling just over 21 hours.

That extended mission wasn’t planned. A coolant leak grounded the return spacecraft, forcing Rubio to remain in orbit for an additional six months. As usual, he adapted with the calm precision expected of a combat-seasoned officer.

His resilience under pressure became yet another example of what military training brings to America’s space program.

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Rubio’s comments after NASA’s announcement reflected that humble warrior ethos. “My Army training has been an integral part of the experiences that have enabled me to be ready for this mission,” he said.

“Serving taught me to lead under pressure, how to stay calm when the stakes are highest, and how to put the mission and the people beside you above yourself.”

That mindset—mission first, team always—will prove vital during Artemis III. The crew’s goal is to validate the navigation and docking capabilities between NASA spacecraft and private landing systems built by companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX.

It’s a big step in coordinating military-style precision with commercial innovation to move America toward permanent lunar operations.

Before becoming one of NASA’s standout astronauts, Rubio spent nearly 20 years in the Army wearing multiple hats—aviator, physician, and battalion surgeon.

After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1998, he earned his wings as a Black Hawk pilot and logged more than 1,100 flight hours, including over 600 in combat zones across Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

When his days of flying combat missions were over, he chose a new way to serve by going to medical school, later returning to uniform as a flight surgeon.

At the time NASA recruited him, Rubio was serving as the battalion surgeon for the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Colorado. Those elite soldiers are known for operating in the world’s toughest environments—training that aligns perfectly with the mental and physical stamina required for space travel.

Rubio won’t be the only American warrior on board Artemis III. The mission’s commander, Randy Bresnik, is a retired Marine Corps colonel with his own impressive record in space.

Andre Douglas, another mission specialist, previously served in the U.S. Coast Guard. The backup crew member, Air Force Col. Bob Hines, reinforces the fact that when NASA looks for proven performers, it often turns to those who wore the uniform first.

The Army has long had a foothold in the final frontier. Nineteen Army astronauts have already flown missions for NASA, but today, only Rubio and Col. Anne McClain serve as active-duty astronauts.

Another soldier, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joseph Bailey, began astronaut training in 2025 and could soon join them as the next generation of Army explorers.

For the War Department and the broader national security community, Rubio’s continued involvement in NASA’s lunar program highlights the enduring link between military excellence and technological advancement.

His success symbolizes what disciplined leadership and tactical experience can achieve when applied to exploration and innovation.

As America reasserts its dominance in space, it’s fitting that the backbone of the mission includes warriors like Rubio—men and women forged through service, sacrifice, and unflinching determination.

While bureaucrats and activists on Earth busy themselves with politics, these soldiers-turned-astronauts are quietly charting the future of humanity beyond our planet.

With Artemis III set to launch in 2027, Col. Frank Rubio will once again represent not just NASA, but the might and spirit of the United States Army.

And as our nation looks to reclaim the moon and beyond, it’s reassuring to know that an American soldier will be part of the team leading the way.

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