Spotlight on Nicole A. Mann

NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Nicole Mann is pictured inside the seven window cupola, the International Space Station's "window to the world." Behind Mann and outside the cupola is one of the orbiting lab's main solar arrays. Credit: Koichi Wakata/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

Nicole Aunapa Mann is a Navy test pilot and NASA astronaut.  In October 2022, she made history by becoming the first Native American Woman to fly in space.

Of Wailaki heritage, and born and raised in northern California, Mann is an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes.  Growing up, Mann was always interested in math and science.  After learning how to pilot fighter jets in the U.S. Marine Corps, she realized that she could combine her flight skills and her scientific interests, and she applied to be an astronaut.  She struggled with her confidence and self-doubt, but persevered.

In 2022, she travelled to the International Space Station as the commander of Space-X Crew 5.  During the 157 day mission, she performed two spacewalks installing upgrades to the solar arrays that power the station.  Inside the station, she worked on many experiments, including testing ways to grow better tomatoes in space and 3-D printing human tissue as a way to see if organs can be grown in space for medical needs.

She is currently in training for the upcoming Artemis missions and is a contender to be the first woman on the moon.

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