Crew-10 Commander Brings Gold From Donated West Point Class Rings, Which Will Be Used To Make All Future Class Rings 

By Erika Norton, WPAOG Senior Multimedia Journalist 

NASA Astronaut COL Anne McClain ’02 returned to space on March 14, this time carrying with her a special symbol of the Long Gray Line—the Legacy Gold. 

Through the WPAOG Ring Memorial program, gold from over 950 West Point class rings from graduates spanning 1896-2006 has been donated and used in the making of each new West Point classes’ rings, honored each year through a Ring Melt ceremony. In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Ring Melt tradition, a small portion of this gold, called the “Legacy Gold,” was placed inside a locket during the 2025 Ring Melt ceremony in January. 

McClain carried the locket with her aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station, and when she returns, this Legacy Gold will be used in the making of each future West Point class ring.

“As this gold—forged from the rings of generations of leaders—soars into space, it carries with it the courage, sacrifice and strength of every graduate whose ring has been contributed,” said Director of Class Services Debbie Edelen ’92, who oversees the WPAOG Ring Memorial program. “COL McClain, who is in the first class to have graduates’ rings melded into their own, honors the tradition by venturing into space with this treasure, which is extraordinary and powerful.”

After several delays due to technical issues, Commander McClain ’02 and the rest of Crew-10 safely docked at the I.S.S. on March 16 at 12:04 a.m. ET. McClain will now spend the next four months working alongside astronauts from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and Roscosmos, conducting groundbreaking research and experiments.

Selected by NASA as an astronaut in 2013, this is McClain’s second spaceflight. A colonel in the U.S. Army, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from West Point and holds master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering, International Security, and Strategic Studies. The Spokane, Washington, native was an instructor pilot in the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. 

McClain has more than 2,300 flight hours in 24 rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, including more than 800 in combat, and was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Rugby Team. On her first spaceflight, McClain spent 204 days as a flight engineer during Expeditions 58 and 59 and completed two spacewalks, totaling 13 hours and 8 minutes. Since then, she has served in various roles, including branch chief and space station assistant to the chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office. 

During this current mission, McClain and Crew-10 will conduct new scientific research to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and benefit humanity on Earth. The crew is scheduled to conduct material flammability tests for future spacecraft designs, engage with students via ham radio and use its existing hardware to test a backup lunar navigation solution, and participate in an integrated study to better understand physiological and psychological changes to the human body to provide valuable insights for future deep space missions.

This year also marks the 25th year of having a crew continuously at the I.S.S. With Crew-10 now at the space station, Crew-9, which includes NASA Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore whose stay at the I.S.S. was unexpectedly extended, is expected to return to Earth next week, pending any weather-related delays.

“What I’m trying to do this mission is really remember the important amidst the urgent,” McClain said at the press conference ahead of the launch. “Everything is extremely important that we do every day when we get up there, and sometimes you forget to step back and look at the people you’re sharing it with—you forget to step back and look out the window and really just take in the significance of where you are. 

“On this mission,” McClain continued, “I’m really going to try to savor those little in-between moments, maybe a little more than I did last time.” 

From COL (R) Buzz Aldrin ’51, to most recently COL Frank Rubio ’98, McClain is part of an elite group of West Point graduates that have gone on to become astronauts. United by the shared ideals of “Duty, Honor, Country,” McClain is continuing to shatter boundaries and inspire future graduates to explore the “final frontier.” 

“COL McClain carries the spirit of the Long Gray Line on full display in this mission—where individuals push their limits beyond what is possible, work together across nations and disciplines, and contribute to something much larger than themselves,” Edelen said. “When the Legacy Gold is returned to be forged with future rings, I hope it inspires our future leaders by demonstrating that much can be achieved beyond our imaginations when determination and excellence is paired with a shared sense of purpose and a willingness to bravely face the unknown.”