Nicole Mann, a member of the Native American tribe of Penobscot Nation, recently made history as the first Native American astronaut to travel to space. Mann was part of the SpaceX Crew-3 mission, which launched on November 10, 2021, and returned to Earth on February 16, 2022.
During the mission, Mann and her fellow crew members conducted scientific experiments and installed new hardware on the International Space Station. Mann's journey to space has been hailed as a significant milestone for Native Americans, who have historically been underrepresented in the field of space exploration.
On February 16, 2022, Mann and her crewmates splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, marking the end of their three-month mission. The successful landing was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the crew, as well as the ingenuity and technology of the SpaceX program.
Mann's achievement has inspired many Native American youth to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, and has brought attention to the important contributions that Native Americans have made to science and technology throughout history.
In addition to her role as an astronaut, Mann is also a decorated U.S. Marine Corps pilot and has served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her impressive career serves as a reminder of the important contributions that Native Americans have made to the United States and the world, and highlights the importance of supporting diverse representation in all fields of endeavor.
