The following post and podcast are not, in any way, affiliated with, nor endorsed by, NASA. (We’re just wowed by Artemis and the idea of lunar, and ultimately Mars, exploration!)

“I think it’s the most exciting time to be an astronaut at NASA,” says U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Anne C. McClain.

Anne is one of eighteen NASA astronauts currently in training for the Artemis missions. She is also a highly-distinguished Senior Army Aviator whose honors include an Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Service Stars, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the NASA Spaceflight Medal.

And in June 2013, she was selected as one of eight members of the 21st NASA astronaut class,

So far, Anne has spent a total of 204 days in space. Most recently, she served as Flight Engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 58 and 59. During that time. she was lead spacewalker on two spacewalks.

And a trip to the Moon is a very real possibility for her future career.

While training for the Artemis missions, Anne is also an Instructor Astronaut. Her areas: Robotics, EVA (Extravehicular Activities, or spacewalks!), and CAPCOM.

Anne talked about her approach to her “impractical” dream of becoming an astronaut (which strikes us as a great guideline towards achieving a goal!), her experiences in space and what it’s like to be a part of the team preparing for NASA’s future lunar exploration.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• How Anne first became inspired to become an astronaut;

• The factor that enabled her to reach her “impractical” dream;

• Her process, in achieving her goal;

• Her favorite aspects of being a NASA astronaut;

• What daily life is like, aboard the International Space Station;

• The types of risk mitigation that especially apply to the Artemis missions;

• Some of the considerations of CAPCOM, or training of the Capsule Communicator;

• A closer look at some of the technology in use;

• Anne’s favorite story from her experiences, so far, in preparation for Artemis;

• What’s involved in choosing space suits for the Moon!