Nicole Aunapu Mann: First Native American Woman in Space

On October 5, 2022, Nicole Aunapu Mann rode the SpaceX Dragon Endurance space shuttle and became the first Native American woman to reach space. For 157 days, Mann lived and worked on the International Space Station.

Growing up, Mann never imagined she would become an astronaut. As a member of the Wailacki of the Round Valley, she did not have many examples of Indigenous people becoming astronauts. But her parents taught her the importance of hard work and curiosity. Mann’s curiosity led her...