Meet Jasmin Moghbeli: First Iranian-American Astronaut

Marine Corps Major Jasmin Moghbeli has become the first-ever Iranian-American astronaut. Jasmin is one of the five colored people who graduated from NASA 22nd graduating class.  The 13 candidates were selected from a pool of 18000 record-breaking applicants.

Some Takeaways:

• Jasmin was born in Germany. Her parents (Iranian) fled away from Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. But Jasmin was brought up in Baldwin, NewYork. She attended advanced space camp at the age of 15.
• The 36-year-old immigrant is often referred to as Jasmin 'Jaws' Moghbeli by her friends and family is a marine corps major.
• She is a decorated helicopter gunship pilot. 
• Jasmin said that one of the reasons she loves working in human space exploration is that space is something on which people unite.
  

The 36-year-old immigrant often referred to as Jasmin 'Jaws' Moghbeli by her friends and family, is a marine corps major and a decorated helicopter gunship pilot.

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About Jasmin Moghbeli

Jasmin's parents (of Iranian origin) fled away from Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Though born in Germany, Jasmin was brought up in Baldwin, NewYork. She attended advanced space camp at the age of 15. Later she studied Aeronautical Engineering and graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2005 Jasmin enrolled to become a military pilot. After joining the military, her parents supported her choice. Three months ago Jasmin married Sam.

The 36-year-old immigrant, often referred to as Jasmin 'Jaws' Moghbeli by her friends and family, is a marine corps major and a decorated helicopter gunship pilot. Jasmin flew for more than 150 missions in Afghanistan. Jasmin also played basketball in her college. Now Jasmin is the First Iranian-American Astronaut. Jasim's classmate described her as fierce and dependable. Jasmin was part of the 22nd class of Astronauts of NASA, also called 'Turtles' and now is eligible for space assignments.

First Iranian-American Astronaut

One of the reasons I love working in human space exploration is, it's something we generally all agree on and unite on. - Jasmin Moghbeli

After graduating from NASA’s latest unit, Jasmin told AFP that she hopes her story inspires others.  She told AFP "I would love for everyone to be able to be inspired by everyone." She further added that it is a little easier to be inspired by someone who looks like you or has something in common with you. "So I do hope there is that influence," said she. Moghbeli didn't face any problems through the years of her service despite the tensions between Iran and America. She said, "I haven't in any way felt that changed anything about how I'm treated."

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Referring to two decades of close US-Russian cooperation on the International space station despite the tensions between the two countries, Jasmin said that one of the reasons she loves working in human space exploration is that space is something on which people unite. She also thinks space exploration has an impact. "I think it is an area where we see diplomacy where we don't see it in other areas." As per the report by Business Insider, Jasmin is among the first set of astronauts who are eligible to be the first woman on the moon in 2024. Raja Chari, an Indian American is also among the fresh batch of NASA graduates, as per Business Insider.

Image Credit: WikiCommons

Mansi is an Intern at SheThePeople.TV.