MAJ. KATE RUBINS MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST OFFICER TO RECEIVE WINGS & SPACE BADGE
Going to space is one thing but for Army Reserve Maj. Kate Rubins, she’s being awarded one of the rarest military honors you’ll find. The astronaut-turned-Soldier became eligible during a trip to the International Space Station (ISS) and is now pinned with something most people in the Army will never have the opportunity to earn, much less see through.
Kate Rubins Is Out of This World
For Kate Rubins, being an astronaut for NASA had some overlap with serving in the Army Reserve.
For example, when Rubins took the basic officer leadership course, she noticed how helpful the lessons on land navigation would be while in space, specifically, for someone who would have to navigate the moon without satellites or compasses.
Her career serving our nation’s space program and defense needs has brought forth a promising career in both and ultimately earned Rubins the Basic Aviation Badge with Astronaut Device and Space Badge.
Army Aviation Badge With Astronaut Device
Having an Army Aviation Badge with Astronaut Device is the rarest badge you can get when serving in the Army.
First off, you must be an officer and to qualify, you’ll need to fly as a part of a space mission from the government with NASA.
However, even then, you only qualify if you complete the mission more than 50 miles above the earth and to earn the Basic Space Badge, you’ll need to hold a space-related position for a year or more.
Considering Soldiers spend most of their time as literal boots on the ground, it’s understandable that not many have accomplished the feat Astronaut Kate Rubins has.
Because the ISS is approximately 250 miles above Earth, Kate Rubins is an astronaut and reservist who would qualify by quite some margin for the badge.
Her achievements are a testament to the wide range of service and expertise found among the military as well as the evolving needs of our nation as space travel continues to become more accessible and evolve throughout the world.
A Look at the Career of Kate Rubins
While Rubins decided to join the Army more recently, her experience in outer space speaks for itself, having been to the heavens almost ten years before enlisting.
Rubins has been to the ISS and operated for NASA missions as a part of Expedition 48/49 in 2016 and Mission 63/64 in 2020.
One interesting highlight of her career would come when she was a part of the team responsible for first sequencing DNA in space.
Dr. Kate Rubins (yeah, she has a Ph.D too), joins Lt. Col. Anne McClain as the only other active-duty Soldier to earn the astronaut device.
It took two and a half years to prepare for her space mission and another six months in space to execute the mission.
The microbiologist has worked on research involving viral diseases in Africa as the lead researcher for the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.
She has also worked on molecular biology projects, helping the Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease at Fort Dietrich understand various biological threats, including Ebola and Mpox.
The knowledge Rubins possesses has helped the 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command, where she serves providing expertise to help advance solutions involving synthetic biology and biodefense.
At its core, the work Rubins provides for the Army involves taking modern solutions to adapt and apply to problems affecting the U.S. military.
The unique skillset and experience Kate Rubins brings to the table is a rare mix that provides both the military and civilian efforts she operates within advantageous expertise.
Maj. Kate Rubins continues to reach for the stars and actually grasps them. Her service to our nation is inspiring, unique, and is paving the way for a better tomorrow.
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