First Iranian-American astronaut shares his space journey
How MoonDAO's ticket made a doctor's dream come true after NASA rejections
1From war to space: An immigrant's tale
Born in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War, Eiman Jahangir immigrated to the US at age four. Growing up in Nashville, he dreamed of becoming both a doctor and astronaut. After completing medical school, he applied to NASA but faced rejections in 2017, 2021, and 2025. His breakthrough came through a raffle by MoonDAO, securing him a seat on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket.
2MoonDAO's space ticket initiative
The decentralized organization MoonDAO crowdfunded two space tickets in 2022. The first seat went to Dude Perfect's Coby Cotton. When the initial raffle winner couldn't fly, Jahangir—originally the 4th pick among 10 finalists in the 2023 redraw—was announced as the confirmed winner on April 8, 2024, after other candidates dropped out.
3The moment a 20-year dream came true
On August 29, 2024, after a sleepless night at Blue Origin's Astronaut Village in Texas, Jahangir boarded the New Shepard rocket. As countdown began in seat 6, he felt not fear but exhilaration—his 40-year-old childhood dream was materializing. The single-stage rocket carried him past the Kármán line (100 km) into space.
4Historic flight's significance
Jahangir became not just the first Iranian-American astronaut but also the first physician on a commercial spaceflight. The 11-minute journey symbolized space tourism's democratization beyond government programs. Community-funded initiatives like MoonDAO are changing who gets access to space, making it less exclusive to billionaires or state astronauts.
5NASA rejection as turning point
Jahangir describes his 2013 NASA astronaut candidate rejection as 'life's biggest disappointment.' When his final application was denied in 2021 at age 44, he sought alternative paths. MoonDAO's 2022 raffle announcement came as a new hope when traditional routes seemed closed. His persistence exemplifies how setbacks can lead to unexpected opportunities.
6The rise of space tourism
Blue Origin's New Shepard completed over 30 uncrewed test flights since 2021 before its first crewed launch in 2022. With tickets starting at $250,000, the space tourism market is projected to reach $8 billion by 2030. Jahangir's flight stands out as a rare example proving this market isn't exclusive to the ultra-wealthy.
7Intersection of medicine and space
As a cardiologist, Jahangir had an edge in medical evaluations pre-flight. He collected data on microgravity's effects—contributing to space medicine research. Having physicians on commercial flights marks a critical step toward future space stations, where medical expertise will be essential for longer-duration missions.
8Community-powered space access
MoonDAO operates on Ethereum blockchain with member voting. Their 2022 raffle raised $2.4 million from 8,000+ participants. This nonprofit model contrasts traditional space agencies, aiming for inclusive access. Jahangir's active engagement with the MoonDAO community played a key role in his selection after initial placement.
9An inspirational success story
Jahangir's journey underscores pursuing impossible dreams and finding alternative paths. The doctor who chased rockets he saw at age 4 in Tennessee now inspires immigrant children through his story. His book 'A Heart for Space' will be published by Forefront Books in August 2026, chronicling this extraordinary achievement.
Original article: Popular Science — İlk İran asıllı Amerikalı astronot uzay yolculuğunu anlatıyor