U.S. Air Force Col. Nick Hague recently wrapped up 203 days on board the International Space Station, conducting all kinds of research projects. But one of those experiments seemed tailor-made for the astronaut who describes himself as a farm boy from rural Kansas –the Vegetable Production System, termed VEGGIE.
As reported by Jennifer M. Latzke in the December 2 edition of the Dodge City, Kansas, newspaper the High Plains Journal, the VEGGIE Facility on the ISS can grow 12 plants at a time, and after 4 weeks of careful tending the crew can harvest enough lettuce for a salad at a handful of meals.
“Now, that’s not enough (to sustain a crew long term),” Hague said. “But, it’s a start.” It’s just one step in proving the concept. ” To read more of Latzke’s article on Col. Hague, click here.
From his NASA biography we learn that Hague was selected by NASA as an astronaut in 2013. The Kansas native earned a Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1998, where he was initiated into Tau Beta Pi as an undergraduate student in 1998. He earned a Master of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2000. In 2009, Hague was selected for the Air Force Fellows program in Washington, D.C., and was a staff member in the United States Senate. Hague most recently served as Flight Engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 59 and 60.
His original mission to the ISS in 2018 was thwarted by a malfunctioning rocket. The following year he and his fellow astronauts successfully fulfilled their mission from March through October 2019. The crew conducted or participated in hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science and Earth science, including investigations into devices that mimic the structure and function of human organs, free-flying robots, and an instrument to measure Earth’s distribution of carbon dioxide. Hague conducted three spacewalks during his mission, totaling 19 hours and 56 minutes with a total of 203 days in space.
NASA video link– Astronaut at a Glance: Nick Hague
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5ZBV_YFEbv/ 
“Thanks to Mayor Mike for welcoming me back to Earth in true Friendswood fashion— a flag, some cake, and a key to the city!” 
Photos on bottom row from NASAJohnson Instragram account 
Iowa State COE Names Student Marshal & Honors Outstanding Seniors
Each semester at Iowa State University in Ames, 12 graduating seniors are selected as outstanding seniors to represent the College of Engineering. Of these 12, one is chosen as the college’s student marshal at the undergraduate commencement ceremony. Read more about the contributions, accomplishments and future plans of this class of impressive Cyclone engineers.
This semester’s student marshal is
Iowa Alpha member Nicholas Wijaya
(pictured at left) from Jakarta, Indonesia.
The following Iowa Alpha members were named as Outstanding Seniors:
Tau Beta Pi 