# Kayla Barron

> American astronaut

**Wikidata**: [Q30157819](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30157819)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayla_Barron)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kayla-barron

## Summary
Kayla Barron is an American astronaut, naval officer, and submariner who became part of NASA Astronaut Group 22 in 2017. She is known for her role in the SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and her prior service in the U.S. Navy, including time aboard the USS Wyoming. Barron holds degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy, Cambridge University, and Purdue University.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 19, 1987  
- **Nationality**: United States  
- **Education**:  
  - Bachelor's degree, U.S. Naval Academy (2011)  
  - Master's degree, Peterhouse, University of Cambridge (2012)  
  - Master's degree, Purdue University (2014)  
- **Known for**: NASA astronaut, SpaceX Crew-3 mission, submariner in the U.S. Navy  
- **Employer(s)**: NASA, U.S. Navy  
- **Field(s)**: Aerospace, naval operations  

## Contributions
- **SpaceX Crew-3 Mission (2021)**: Served as a mission specialist aboard the Crew Dragon *Endurance*, conducting scientific research on the ISS.  
- **NASA Astronaut Group 22 (2017)**: Selected as one of 12 astronauts in NASA's 2017 class, contributing to Artemis program training for lunar missions.  
- **U.S. Navy Service (2011–2017)**: Served as a submariner on the USS Wyoming (SSBN-742), a ballistic missile submarine.  

## FAQs
**What is Kayla Barron's educational background?**  
Barron graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy (2011), earned a master's degree at Cambridge University (2012), and completed a second master's at Purdue University (2014).  

**What missions has Kayla Barron participated in?**  
She flew on the SpaceX Crew-3 mission (2021), spending 177 days aboard the ISS.  

**What roles did Barron hold in the U.S. Navy?**  
She served as a submariner on the USS Wyoming, a Trident missile submarine, from 2011 to 2017.  

**What awards has Kayla Barron received?**  
She was awarded the Commendation Medal and Achievement Medal for her naval service.  

## Why They Matter
Kayla Barron represents a new generation of astronauts bridging naval expertise with space exploration. Her submarine experience uniquely qualifies her for confined-space missions like the ISS, while her role in NASA's Artemis program advances U.S. efforts to return humans to the Moon. As one of few astronauts with both military and spaceflight credentials, she influences public engagement in STEM and inspires women in technical fields.

## Notable For
- First U.S. Navy submariner selected as a NASA astronaut.  
- Member of NASA's 2017 astronaut class, training for lunar missions under the Artemis program.  
- Mission specialist on SpaceX Crew-3, contributing to microgravity research.  
- Recipient of the Commendation Medal and Achievement Medal for naval service.  
- Holds advanced degrees in nuclear engineering and international relations.  

## Body

### Early Life and Education  
Kayla Jane Sax Barron was born on September 19, 1987, in the United States. She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2011 with a bachelor's degree, then earned a master's degree at Peterhouse, University of Cambridge, in 2012. She later completed a second master's degree at Purdue University in 2014, focusing on nuclear engineering.  

### Naval Career  
Barron served in the U.S. Navy from 2011 to 2017 as a submariner aboard the USS Wyoming (SSBN-742), a Trident ballistic missile submarine. During her service, she qualified as a nuclear engineer and earned the Commendation Medal and Achievement Medal.  

### NASA Career  
Selected for NASA Astronaut Group 22 in 2017, Barron trained for spaceflight missions, including robotic arm operations and spacewalk procedures. In 2021, she flew to the ISS as a mission specialist on SpaceX Crew-3, spending 177 days conducting over 250 science experiments. She is part of the Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon by 2025.  

### Awards and Recognition  
Barron received the Commendation Medal and Achievement Medal for her naval service. Her NASA roles highlight her technical expertise and leadership in both military and civilian space programs.  

### Public Engagement  
Barron actively shares her experiences on social media (@Astro_Kayla), promoting STEM education and the Artemis program's goals. Her background as a submariner and astronaut underscores the intersection of naval and space careers.  

### Mission Details  
During the Crew-3 mission, Barron supported research on muscle atrophy in microgravity, climate change impacts, and spacecraft fire safety. Her work contributed to NASA's long-term goals for deep-space exploration.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/barron_kayla.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/barron-k.pdf)
3. [Source](https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Messages/ALNAV/ALN2019/ALN19060.txt)
4. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/kayla-barron/biography)