Jeanette Epps Will Become the First Black Female Astronaut on ISS

By THC Staff | January 9, 2017

 

Jeanette Epps’ career has been an incredible journey. Previously, she worked for the CIA, and then in 2009, she joined NASA as an astronaut. Now, a date is set for her to become the first black female astronaut to join the crew on the International Space Station. The Huffington Post reports that Epps will enter space in May 2018. Even though several black astronauts have visited the ISS, “Epps will be the first African American and the 13th woman to call the ISS home since the space station was founded in 1998.”

Currently, Epps supports the ISS crew by working in the ISS Operations Branch. NASA lists some of her incredible education that’s gotten her where she is today. “Her training included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, spacewalk training, robotics, T-38 flight training and wilderness survival training,” her biography reads.

The announcement of Epps’s first spaceflight on Expedition 56/57 coincidentally coincides with the theatrical release of “Hidden Figures,” a film that highlights the important work that black female scientists played in getting John Glenn into orbit in 1962. Hopefully, this announcement and the film will bring attention to the amazing work these role models have done.