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Sian Proctor makes history as the first black female spacecraft pilot.
Proctor, geoscientist, artist and science communicator, has been leading the way in the space industry for decades. Now, years after being a finalist in the NASA Astronaut Nominee Program in 2009, she is fulfilling her dream of becoming an astronaut as she launches into orbit with the Inspiration4 mission tonight (September 15).
As the mission itself makes history as the first all-civilian mission to be launched into orbit, Proctor herself achieves a grand first as the first black female spacecraft pilot.
“I’m really grateful to be here and to have this opportunity,” Proctor said Sept. 14 at a press conference with reporters. “There have been three black female astronauts who have been to space, and knowing that I will be the fourth means I have this opportunity to not only fulfill my dream, but also inspire the next generation of women. colored and colored girls and really get them to think about reaching for the stars and what that means. “
Live Updates: SpaceX’s Inspiration4 Fully Civilian Private Orbital Mission
Following: Inspiration4: When to watch and what to know
Proctor is preceded by just six other black female astronauts in history, only three of whom have flown into space.
The very first black woman to fly in space was Mae Jemison, who flew on Space Shuttle Endeavor with the STS-47 mission in 1992. After her, Stephanie Wilson and Joan Higginbotham also flew with Shuttle missions from The NASA.
There are three other black women who are NASA astronauts but have never flown in space; they include Yvonne Cagle, Jessica Watkins and Jeanette Epps, who was selected by NASA in 2009 in the same astronaut selection round as Proctor. Cagle is currently working in NASA management, while Watkins was recently selected as part of the 22nd NASA Astronaut Class.
Epps is expected to fly into space with Boeing’s Starliner astronaut taxi, after the company completes its first test flights of the new vehicle. In 2020, Epps was chosen to fly with Boeing’s Starliner-1 mission, the craft’s first operational mission that will take a crew of four to the International Space Station. The launch date for this mission is scheduled for 2022.
In addition to sharing her excitement about being a part of this mission and becoming an astronaut, Proctor also spoke about how, as a black woman, she faced additional pressures on her trip to space. .
“Growing up as a black woman and always trying to perform well and not mess up,” Proctor added, “just having that pressure on yourself to think about not wanting to be knocked out, about not wanting to miss, [you have to] make sure you are the best of the best because you open the door to the people who follow you. “
“A lot of times you know, if you’re in a role model position, if you slip or get it wrong, that means you kind of shut the door on those behind you,” she added.
Proctor also referred to her hope of one day aligning with its acronym “JEDI,” which stands for fair, equitable, diverse and inclusive, she told the press conference.
In addition to being the first black female spacecraft pilot, Proctor will also be the oldest black woman to go to space, flying at 51. She talked about this aspect, and how so many people think that after a certain age, they can’t do amazing things anymore.
“Being an older black woman in her fifties, I think it’s going to be inspiring to see that those dreams you had when you were a kid can still come true, because we often think we missed our prime in our 20s and We’re 30 years old, then we’re in our 40’s. And we’re like, ‘oh, yeah, okay.’ But this is not true.”
“I think when we take off it’s going to be inspiring not only for me, but I think everyone who follows because they can connect with each of our crew members in a unique and special way,” a- she added.
Proctor will be launched into space as part of Inspiration4 alongside his teammates, Commander Jared Isaacman, Medical Officer Hayley Arceneaux and Mission Specialist Chris Sembroski.
Email Chelsea Gohd at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
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