Marine Astronaut Calls Space Station "Luxurious" Compared to Life in the Corps

Marine Lt. Col. Jasmin Moghbeli, who returned to Earth in March after six months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), shared her experience with members of her former unit. She shared the experience with her former unit, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, earlier this month. Although the ISS is known for its limited space, Moghbeli discovered the living conditions to be unexpectedly pleasant in comparison to her experiences in the Marine Corps.

“I never had my room on any deployment, so I thought it was quite luxurious,” Moghbeli remarked, as reported in a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing news release.

Each astronaut on the ISS has a private room roughly the size of a telephone booth and shares a single toilet. For Moghbeli, however, these conditions felt like an upgrade, as he previously served as an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot.

Her comments highlight the flexibility and wit that Marines contribute to any circumstance, even in outer space. NASA spokeswoman Sandra Jones clarified that although the ISS is compact, it is engineered for both practicality and comfort during extended missions.

Moghbeli humorously noted that her six-month mission in orbit was among the "shortest deployments" of her career. Her insights into life in space showcase the strength and unity found among astronauts and service members, emphasizing how military backgrounds equip individuals to face remarkable challenges—even in the cosmos.

Moghbeli's accomplishments serve as a source of inspiration for Marines and others, encouraging them to reach for the stars—both in a metaphorical sense and in reality.

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