NASA Astronaut Dr. Jessica Watkins Becomes First Black Woman To Have Extended Stay In Outer Space

Dr. Jessica Watkins Becomes First Black Woman To Have Extended Stay In Outer Space

Congrats are in order for NASA astronaut Dr. Jessica Watkins who has just became the first Black woman in history to have an extended stay in outer space! Back in November 2020, we reported that Victor Glover became the first Black astronaut ever to be on an extended stay as well.

Dr. Watkins also follows in the footsteps of the legendary Mae Jemison, who is the first Black woman in space ever. Dr. Watkins says she’s very hopeful about the future of space exploration for women of color.

On Wednesday morning (April 27), 33-year-old Dr. Watkins made history as the first Black woman to enter space and remain on a months-long mission at the International Space Station (ISS).

 

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After earning a degree from Stanford University and a doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles, Dr. Watkins, a Maryland native, went on to work as a geologist before joining NASA as an intern and working her way up the ladder to make history.

Last week, Dr. Watkins blasted off into space inside the Crew Dragon spacecraft, embarking on a long-term space mission at the ISS.

She was accompanied by three other astronauts: NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Bob Hines; and European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. Together they all departed from the Launch Complex 39A, housed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Merrit Island, Florida. The trip too over 15 hours to arrive.

Prior to her departure — which she has been training for for the last five years — Dr. Watkins spoke to NPR about her mission, “I think it really is just a tribute to the legacy of the Black women astronauts that have come before me, as well as to the exciting future ahead.”