Randy “Komrade” Bresnik, a 1989 graduate from The Citadel, will command NASA’S Artemis III mission in 2027. Artemis III is planned to be a crewed demonstration mission in low Earth orbit.
Bresnik will command the four-person crew. He will be joined by pilot Luca Parmitano and mission specialists Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio.
“Today we take another bold step in humanity’s return to the Moon, building on the extraordinary foundation laid by the Artemis II astronauts,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “Their achievements reignited global excitement for exploration, and now they pass the torch to the Artemis III team, Randy, Luca, Frank, and Andre. Artemis III will demonstrate the power of American innovation and international partnership as we test complex rendezvous and docking operations and advance the technologies that will one day carry us deeper into the solar system.”
Bresnik was born in Kentucky, but considers California to be home. He came to South Carolina to enroll at The Citadel. He was selected to be an astronaut in 2004. Bresnik most recently served as the Commander of the International Space Station for Expedition 53 and flight engineer for Expedition 52.
Since August 2018, Bresnik has been serving as the Assistant-to-the-Chief of the Astronaut Office for Exploration.
