Raja Chari is a NASA astronaut, U.S. Air Force test pilot, and aerospace engineer. In 2021, he commanded the Crew-3 mission aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, leading a multinational crew to the International Space Station. Before joining NASA, Chari built a distinguished career as a military aviator and flight test engineer. His achievements in both aviation and spaceflight have contributed to the advancement of human space exploration and highlighted the growing role of Indian Americans in the U.S. space program.
