Nichole Ayers

Nichole Rhea Ayers (née Stilwell; born 13 December 1988)^[1][2] is a major in the United States Air Force and NASA astronaut. She is currently a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado.^[3][4]

Nichole Ayers
Ayers in 2024
Born	Nichole Rhea Stilwell (1988-12-13) 13 December 1988 (age 36) San Diego, California, U.S.
Education	United States Air Force Academy (BS) Rice University (MS)
Space career
NASA astronaut
Time in space	147 days, 16 hours, 29 minutes
Selection	NASA Group 23 (2021)
Total EVAs	1
Total EVA time	5 hours, 44 minutes
Missions	SpaceX Crew-10 (Expedition 72/73)
Mission insignia
Military career
Nickname(s)	"Vapor"
Branch	United States Air Force
Years	2011–present
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Unit	90th Fighter Squadron (former)
Combat operations	Operation Inherent Resolve Operation Spartan Shield

Education

Nichole Ayers graduated from Woodland Park High School in Woodland Park, Colorado. Afterward, she attended the United States Air Force Academy, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in Russian in 2011. She earned a master's degree in computational and applied mathematics from Rice University in 2013.^[5]

Career

Ayers before taking to the air in an F-22 Raptor, September 2020

In 2014, Ayers completed flight training and flew the T-38 for an adversary squadron at Langley Air Force Base. She later became a flight instructor, providing adversary training to F-22 Raptor units based at Langley.

In 2018, Ayers completed training for the F-22, serving as a flight instructor for the F-22. Ayers has logged over 200 flight hours during Operation Inherent Resolve.

At the time of her selection as an Astronaut Candidate, Ayers was the assistant director of operations of the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base.^[5]

Ayers opens the hatch of the Kibō module's airlock aboard the ISS.

On 6 December 2021, Nichole Ayers was revealed to be one of ten candidates selected as part of the NASA Astronaut Group 23.

In August 2024, Ayers received her first spaceflight assignment. On 14 March 2025, she launched to the International Space Station as the pilot of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission. She remained aboard the station for six months as part of the crew of Expedition 72 and 73. Crew-10 was scheduled to return to Earth in July 2025, ultimately returning on August 9, 2025.^[6][7]

In April 2025, Ayers was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in a surprise ceremony while aboard the International Space Station.^[8]

Personal life

Ayers and her twin sister, Cydnee, were born in San Diego, California, but she considers Colorado Springs and Divide, Colorado, home. Ayers and her husband, Justin, were married in New Zealand in early 2020 and enjoy sailing, camping, hiking, biking, and working on home projects together.^[5]

Awards and honors

Ayers was a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and Undergraduate Pilot Training. She has received the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal.^[5]