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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 1h

#ASEspotlight: Oleg Novitskiy 💫 ASE member Novitskiy was all smiles as he floated through the International Space Station in May 2021. Fun fact: He enjoys playing table tennis! Happy 55th birthday, Oleg! 🎉

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 3h

#HappyBirthday to ASE Life Member Jake Garn, who flew to space in 1985 aboard STS-51-D!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

#ASEspotlight: C. Gordon Fullerton 🌠 In March 1982, ASE member Fullerton prepared to eat a floating bite of cereal while aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. Fun fact: He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2005! Today, we remember Gordo on his 90th birthday. ✨

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

#ASEspotlight: Zhai Zhigang 💫 ASE member Zhai waved to a crowd during a welcome-back ceremony in Beijing after the return of Shenzhou 7 in September 2008. Fun fact: He enjoys calligraphy! Happy 60th birthday, Zhigang! 🎉 Pic: wangtong6006, creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5…

Zhai Zhigang smiles and waves to a crowd of people while wearing a blue flight suit and flowers around his neck. People in the crowd are waving flags. Pic: wangtong6006, CC BY 2.5 CN

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE Life Member John Grunsfeld, who flew to space five times between 1995 and 2009 (STS-67, STS-81, STS-103, STS-109, and STS-125), including as part of a trip to the Mir space station!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

#ASEspotlight: Franco Malerba 💫 During STS-46, ASE member Malerba posed for a picture with the Earth as his backdrop aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1992. Fun fact: He wrote a book, La Vetta/The Summit, about his experience in space! Happy 80th birthday, Franco! 🎉

Wearing a long-sleeved collared shirt that is dark with blue, red, and white stripes, Franco Malerba smiles with the vivid blue and white Earth seen in the windows of the space shuttle behind him.

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Rex Walheim, who flew to space three times between 2002 and 2011 (STS-110, STS-122, and STS-135) as part of trips to the International Space Station!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Yuri Usachev, who flew to space four times between 1994 and 2001 (Soyuz TM-18, Soyuz TM-23, STS-101, and STS-102) as part of trips and expeditions to Mir and the International Space Station (Mir EO-15, Mir EO-21, and Expedition 2)!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

#ASEspotlight: Janice Voss 🌠 In July 1997, ASE member Voss opened a jar of peanut butter and let it float while unstowing a food locker aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. Fun fact: She was inspired by the book "A Wrinkle in Time"! Today, we remember Janice on her 70th birthday. ✨

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Welcome home, #Crew12 (Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adenot, and Andrey Fedyaev)! 🌎

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Liu Yang, who has flown to space twice in 2012 and 2022 (Shenzhou 9 and Shenzhou 14) as part of trips and expeditions to Tiangong-1 and the Tiangong space station! Pic: Manfred Werner, creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/…

Photograph of Liu Yang. Pic: Manfred Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member André Kuipers, who flew to space twice between 2004 and 2012 (Soyuz TMA-4 and Soyuz TMA-03M) as part of trips and expeditions aboard the International Space Station (Expedition 30/31)!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#OTD 5 years ago ✨ Soyuz MS-19 launched on October 5, 2021, with ASE members Yulia Peresild, Anton Shkaplerov, and Klim Shipenko aboard!

ASE salutes the crew of Soyuz MS-19 on the 5th anniversary of their launch! Launch: October 5, 2021. Yulia Peresild, Anton Shkaplerov, Klim Shipenko.

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Brent W. Jett, who flew to space four times between 1996 and 2006 (STS-72, STS-81, STS-97, and STS-115), including as part of trips to Mir and the International Space Station!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Today, we remember ASE member Pavel Popovich (left) on his #birthday. Popovich flew to space twice between 1962 and 1974 (Vostok 4 and Soyuz 14), including as part of a trip to the Salyut 3 space station. ✨

Soviet-era stamp featuring images of Pavel Popovich and Yuri Artyukhin

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE Life Member Gregory Linteris, who flew to space twice in 1997 (STS-83 and STS-94)!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#ASEspotlight: Kathryn Sullivan 💫 In October 1984, ASE Life Member Sullivan used binoculars to gaze at the Earth through the windows of Space Shuttle Challenger during STS-41-G. Fun fact: She enjoys playing squash! Happy 75th birthday, Kathy! 🎉

Kathy Sullivan, face illuminated by Earthlight, gazes out of windows on the space shuttle while holding binoculars.

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE Life Member Charles Duke, Jr., who flew to space in 1972 aboard Apollo 16 and is the tenth person to have walked on the Moon!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#OTD 35 years ago ✨ Soyuz TM-13 launched on October 2, 1991, with ASE members Alexander Volkov, Tokhtar Aubakirov, and Franz Viehbock aboard!

ASE salutes the crew of Soyuz TM-13 on the 35th anniversary of their launch! Launch: October 2, 1991. Alexander Volkov, Tokhtar Aubakirov, Franz Viehbock.

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Congratulations to SpaceX's #Crew13 on their successful launch to the International Space Station aboard Crew Dragon Grace! 🚀 Welcome back to space, Jessica Watkins! Congrats to Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk, and Sergey Teteryatnikov for becoming the newest fliers in the Registry of Space Travelers!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Eric Boe, who has flown to space twice in 2008 and 2011 (STS-126 and STS-133) as part of trips to the International Space Station!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Today, we remember ASE member Boris Morukov on his #birthday. Morukov flew to space in 2000 aboard STS-106 as part of a trip to the International Space Station. ✨

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Michel Tognini, who flew to space twice in 1992 and 1999 (Soyuz TM-15 and STS-93), including as part of a trip to the Mir space station!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Bill Nelson, who flew to space in 1986 aboard STS-61-C!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Alexander Ivanchenkov (right), who flew to space twice between 1978 and 1982 (Soyuz 29 and Soyuz T-6) as part of trips and expeditions aboard the Salyut 6 and Salyut 7 space stations (Salyut 6 EO-2)!

Soviet-era stamp featuring images of Vladimir Kovalyonok and Alexander Ivanchenkov

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#ASEspotlight: Stephanie Wilson 💫 In October 2007, ASE member Stephanie Wilson floated aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery alongside a model of the Harmony node, which was being delivered to the International Space Station by her STS-120 crew. Happy 60th birthday, Stephanie! 🎉

Stephanie Wilson, wearing a light blue long-sleeved shirt and dark blue pants, floats aboard a space shuttle with her knees bent. A model of the Harmony node of the International Space Station floats next to her.

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE Founding Member Dumitru Prunariu, who flew to space in 1981 aboard Soyuz 40 as part of a trip to the Salyut 6 space station!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#ASEspotlight: Luca Parmitano 💫 During his time aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 37 in October 2013, ASE member Luca Parmitano enjoyed some of his off-duty time by playing the guitar. Fun fact: He enjoys snowboarding! Happy 50th birthday, Luca! 🎉

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE Founding Member Vladimir Remek, who flew to space in 1978 aboard Soyuz 28 as part of a trip to the Salyut 6 space station! Pic: Frank Leuband, creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/…

Photo of Vladimir Remek. Pic: Frank Leuband, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Nick Hague, who flew to space three times between 2018 and 2025 (Soyuz MS-10, Soyuz MS-12, and SpaceX Crew-9), including as part of expeditions aboard the International Space Station (Expedition 59/60 and Expedition 72)!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE Life Member Loren Shriver, who flew to space three times between 1985 and 1992 (STS-51-C, STS-31, and STS-46)!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Robert Satcher, who flew to space in 2009 aboard STS-129 as part of a trip to the International Space Station!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE Life Member, ASE International Executive Committee Member, and ASE-USA President Richard Hieb, who flew to space three times between 1991 and 1994 (STS-39, STS-49, and STS-65)!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Today, we remember ASE member Bjarni Tryggvason on his #birthday. Tryggvason flew to space in 1997 aboard STS-85. ✨

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Jim Pawelczyk, who flew to space in 1998 aboard STS-90!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE Life Member Rick Linnehan, who flew to space four times between 1996 and 2008 (STS-78, STS-90, STS-109, and STS-123), including as part of a trip to the International Space Station!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Kayla Barron, who first flew to space in 2021 aboard SpaceX Crew-3 as part of an expedition to the International Space Station (Expedition 66/67)!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

#OTD 20 years ago ✨ Soyuz TMA-9 launched on September 18, 2006, with ASE members Anousheh Ansari, Mikhail Turin, and Michael Lopez-Alegria aboard!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Mark Shuttleworth, who flew to space in 2002 aboard Soyuz TM-34 as part of a trip to the International Space Station!

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Today, we remember ASE member Charles Lacy Veach on his #birthday. Veach flew to space twice in 1991 and 1992 (STS-39 and STS-52). ✨

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#ASEspotlight: Liu Boming 💫 ASE member Liu (center left) joined his two Shenzhou 7 crewmates, Zhai Zhigang and Jing Haipeng, at Hong Kong Stadium for a celebratory variety show in December 2008. Fun fact: As a child, his inspiration was Neil Armstrong! Happy 60th birthday, Boming! 🎉

Liu Boming (center left) sits in a chair holding flowers next to his two Shenzhou 7 crewmates, Zhai Zhigang and Jing Haipeng, who are also sitting in chairs holding flowers. All three are wearing blue flight suits.

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Today, we remember ASE Distinguished Member Thomas Stafford on his #birthday. Stafford flew to space four times between 1965 and 1975 (Gemini 6A, Gemini 9A, Apollo 10, and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project). ✨

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Today, we remember ASE member Samuel Durrance on his #birthday. Durrance flew to space twice in 1990 and 1995 (STS-35 and STS-67). ✨

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#ASEspotlight: Pamela Melroy 💫 ASE Life Member Melroy floated in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station while holding camera equipment in October 2002. Fun fact: She enjoys tap and jazz dancing! Happy 65th birthday, Pam! 🎉

Pamela Melroy, wearing a long-sleeved light blue top and dark blue work pants, floats in the International Space Station while holding a video camera in one hand and a bunch of wires in the other.

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Today, we remember ASE Founding Member Edgar Mitchell on his #birthday. Mitchell flew in space in 1971 aboard Apollo 14, and he was the sixth person to walk on the Moon. ✨

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#ASEspotlight: Kevin Kregel 💫 ASE Life Member Kregel held the STS-87 crew patch in front of the entry hatch to Space Shuttle Columbia during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in November 1997. Happy 70th birthday, Kevin! 🎉

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

#OTD 30 years ago ✨ STS-79 launched on September 16, 1996, with ASE members John Blaha, Tom Akers, William Readdy, Terry Wilcutt, Jay Apt, and Carl Walz aboard!

ASE salutes the crew of STS-79 on the 30th anniversary of their launch! Launch: September 16, 1996. John Blaha, Tom Akers, William Readdy, Terry Wilcutt, Jay Apt, Carl Walz.

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

#HappyBirthday to ASE member Warren "Woody" Hoburg, who first flew to space in 2023 aboard SpaceX Crew-6 as part of an expedition to the International Space Station (Expedition 68/69)!

Official portrait of Warren "Woody" Hoburg

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

#OTD 5 years ago ✨ Inspiration4 launched on Sept. 15, 2021, with ASE members Jared Isaacman, Christopher Sembroski, @drsianproctor.bsky.social, & Hayley Arceneaux aboard. Fun fact: This was the world's 1st all-civilian orbital spaceflight! 📸: Inspiration4 crew, creativecommons.org/licenses/by-...

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Association of Space Explorers @aseastronauts.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

#ASEspotlight: Miroslaw Hermaszewski 🌠 In May 2016, ASE Founding Member Hermaszewski attended a Children's Day event in Warsaw. Fun fact: He was a self-taught model maker! Today, we remember Miroslaw on his 85th birthday. ✨ Pic: Godai, creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/…

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