Stanford Iranian Studies Students Speak with Astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli Live From Space
On November 29, 2023, Stanford Iranian Studies students had the opportunity to ask questions of Iranian-American astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, live from the International Space Station.
Interview From Outer Space (Stanford Report)
by Alex Kekauoha, read article here
Stanford Iranian Studies students interviewed NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, who is currently on a mission aboard the International Space Station.
"While floating in zero gravity aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli reflected on the awe-inspiring experience of outer space.
“Looking at the Earth from this view is one of the most incredible things – probably the most incredible thing – I’ve experienced in my life,” Moghbeli said during a live video Q&A on Wednesday, Nov. 29, with Stanford Iranian Studies students.
The discussion was coordinated by the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Program in Iranian Studies and NASA. Moghbeli, who is Iranian American, launched to the ISS as commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft on Aug. 26, 2023, and successfully docked on Aug. 27, 2023. It is her first space flight.
During the Q&A event, she reflected on the challenges of traveling to outer space. “It’s extremely difficult, especially when it comes to human exploration, to keep people living and working in this harsh environment of space,” she said.
Professor Abbas Milani is director of the Iranian Studies Program. He said the idea for the Q&A event came from Hamid Moghadam, who has served on Stanford’s Board of Trustees for many years, and was coordinated by the efforts of Iranian Studies Program Associate Director Roma Parhad and colleagues.
“A conversation between a group of brilliant Iranian American Stanford students and a pioneering Iranian American woman astronaut, a conversation that includes everything from Persian cuisine and the health of our planet to the vagaries of identity and the value of role models who reflect the complicated, beautiful tapestry of our humanity, is a moment to celebrate not just for Stanford but for all of us in these hard times,” Milani told Stanford Report.
Moghbeli also spoke about her career path to becoming an astronaut, the people who inspired her along the way, and the principles of Iranian culture that she integrates into her daily life. She also offered advice to young people pursuing their goals.
Moghbeli has been interested in space exploration since she was a child. She studied aerospace engineering with information technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before earning a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School."
About Jasmin Moghbeli:
Jasmin Moghbeli was selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. She reported for duty in August 2017. The New York native earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering with information technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. Moghbeli, an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot and Marine Corps test pilot, has over 150 combat missions and 2,000 hours of flight time in over 25 different aircraft. She is also a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, MD. She has been awarded four Air Medals, a Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various unit commendations. Awarded the US Navy Test Pilot School Class 144 Outstanding Developmental Phase II Award and the Commander Willie McCool Outstanding Student Award as the Class 144 Honor Graduate.
Moghbeli launched to the International Space Station as Commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on August 26, 2023 and successfully docked on August 27, 2023.
Persian news coverage of event:
Iran International: "Jasmin Moghbeli, Astronaut: When There Are No Barriers for Women, They Can Make Greater Accomplishments"