Astronaut Anne McClain: Spacecraft Design & Piloting

NASA has recently revealed the astronaut team for the upcoming Artemis missions, including Anne McClain, a veteran of space travel with 203 days in orbit and two spacewalks completed during her time on the International Space Station (ISS). As the space sector undergoes rapid transformation with the emergence of new spacecraft and technologies, McClain shared her perspective on how she and her fellow astronauts are preparing to embrace these advancements.

Lieutenant Colonel McClain’s assignment to the ISS occurred between December 2018 and June 2019, during which her journeys to and from the station were facilitated by Russia’s Soyuz capsules, the standard for astronaut transport since the end of the Space Shuttle program. However, the Artemis missions will utilize a diverse range of new launch systems and spacecraft. While she wasn’t able to experience a flight on a Dragon capsule firsthand, she did have the opportunity to examine one while it was connected to the station.

“I greatly appreciated the opportunity to fly on the Soyuz, as it’s a remarkably dependable and straightforward spacecraft—it feels like piloting a historical artifact—knowing I would later have the chance to compare it to future vehicles,” she stated. “I was able to explore the DM-1 Dragon capsule while stationed on the ISS, and immediately noticed the significant technological progress. The interior resembled the cabin of a modern commercial airliner.”

Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, the first to orbit in a Dragon capsule, described the experience as “certainly different,” largely due to the extensive use of touchscreens for controlling many spacecraft functions. McClain highlighted the challenges involved in developing software that can be reliably entrusted with the safety of human life.

“Many of the vehicles currently in use rely heavily on software—featuring numerous touchscreens rather than traditional, physically operated valves, which functions more like a software-based relay. This introduces considerable complexity, as anyone familiar with the field knows, validating software and ensuring its reliability is a demanding process,” she explained.

“We continually assess the balance between human oversight and automation, and when automation is employed, we strive to demonstrate the software’s reliability is sufficient for crewed spaceflight. There comes a point where we must decide, ‘If this situation arises, we will involve a human operator,’ to avoid being hindered by prolonged software testing.”

As an experienced pilot, McClain naturally holds strong views on this matter and collaborated with SpaceX in its early stages, alongside Hurley and Behnken.

“I was privileged to work with Bob and Doug, providing input to SpaceX during the initial development of their cockpit controls, and I believe they’ve created a truly exceptional machine,” she commented, adding that the Orion and Starliner spacecraft also benefited from similar expert consultation.

Astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley exchange a fist bump in celebration of their groundbreaking launch aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Image Credits: NASA

A key priority was ensuring adaptability; astronauts need the ability to respond effectively even when circumstances deviate from the planned course, without being constrained by the system itself.

“Pilots, by nature, always prefer options, right? We want alternatives, no matter what happens. While we attempt to anticipate potential scenarios on the ground, we recognize that unforeseen events can occur, and at that point… we need options,” she said. “We must thoroughly understand our systems to interact with them in ways that may not be explicitly programmed. Therefore, it’s crucial that the software doesn’t eliminate potential courses of action. This is why NASA continues to study the Apollo 13 mission, where hardware and software were utilized in ways never previously envisioned.”

When asked about her experience collaborating with newer companies like Blue Origin, McClain pointed out that the primary novelty lies in the company’s name.

Image Credits: NASA/Blue Origin

“Having worked with these companies, I can confidently say that while the company name may not have a history of building spacecraft, the individuals within those organizations do. The expertise that built the Space Shuttle and Space Station is now distributed throughout the commercial space industry, which is precisely NASA’s objective. This represents our invaluable human capital,” she explained. “I am also confident in the rigorous test programs and design reviews that NASA conducts in partnership with these companies, ensuring thorough checks and balances are in place. This technology helps to integrate Earth’s capabilities into our spacecraft.”

Finally, I inquired about whether advancements in modern consumer technology, such as the recent ability to conduct video calls, had improved the experience of extended space missions. McClain responded positively.

“Your observation is spot on. Consider the challenges of the recent pandemic, when we were unable to video chat—we already felt disconnected from loved ones. And that feeling of disconnection is similar whether you’re across the country or in space. Therefore, the ability to see our family’s faces and speak with them is incredibly beneficial,” she said. “It’s not just about morale. When considering six-month or twelve-month missions, it’s vital for maintaining psychological well-being and mental health. This technology helps to bring Earth into the spaceship with us.”

McClain is one of 18 astronauts who will participate in the missions leading up to the planned lunar landing. You can find a complete list of the team members here.