Astronaut Nicole Mann is Ready to Become the First Native Woman in Space

NASA astronaut Nicole Mann is set to become the first Native American woman in space, with a launch date no earlier than Oct. 3. 

In the upcoming NASA and SpaceX Crew-5 mission, Mann will travel to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. She’ll be joined by fellow NASA astronaut Josh Cassada, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina.

Mann (Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes) will be the mission commander and responsible for the flight from launch to re-entry. She will also serve as an Expedition 68 flight engineer on the station.

On August 11, NASA said the team was in the “home stretch” of a unique 18-month training program to prepare for the science expedition mission. This will be the fifth crew rotation mission of SpaceX’s system as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. 

Mann is also a part of the Artemis mission to return to the moon, including the space agency’s attempt to land the first woman and first person of color and establish a long-term presence on the moon. As a member of the Artemis Team, Mann will help NASA prepare for Artemis missions and be a candidate to go to the moon. 

Read full interview HERE.