Jessica Watkins to become the first Black woman to join International Space Station crew

When NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins launches to the International Space Station next year, she will make history.

ISS Mission

The Maryland native is set to become the first Black woman to join the international space station crew, and live and work in space on a six month mission on the orbiting outpost.

The agency announced Tuesday that Watkins will fly to the space station in April 2022, alongside NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren and Robert Hines and astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency.

The crew for this mission — known as Crew-4 — will be the fourth rotation of astronauts on the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to the ISS.

Jessica Watkins Space Journey

Watkins became a NASA astronaut in 2017 and has worked in the space agency’s research centers, particularly on the Mars rover, Curiosity.

Watkins says she grew up admiring astronauts like Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space, and Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. And she hopes her work aboard the ISS will inspire more kids of color to aspire to space travel.

“I do hope that all young girls, especially young girls of color that are interested in STEM and interested in exploring space, feel empowered to do so,” Watkins told Colorado Public Radio last year. “I just hope young girls across the country feel that way now.”

Photo Source : NASA