January 2017 has been a very safe month for the American space computer programme . First there was the premiere of the movieHidden Figures , which observe the unbelievable minds and accomplishment ofNASA legendsKatherine Johnson , Dorothy Vaughan , and Mary Jackson . Now , on the blackguard of the film ’s release , NASA hasannouncedthat Jeanette J. Epps will soon become the first African - American crewmember of the International Space Station ( ISS ) .
Epps has been working toward this present moment for a very recollective clock time , from her doctorate in physics and aerospace applied science to a seven - year stint as a technical intelligence police officer with the CIA [ PDF ] . She conjoin NASA in 2009 as part of the agency ’s 20th class of cosmonaut , and has been working on the primer to support existing ISS deputation ever since .
Epps is scheduled to go away in May 2018 , two months after her colleague Andrew Feustel , as part of a six - calendar month outing . “ Each outer space place crew brings something different to the table , and Drew and Jeanette both have a bunch to bid , " NASA Astronaut Office tribal chief Chris Cassidysaidin a command .
To date , 14 African American astronauts have made the slip into space . Several of those have visited the ISS as part of technical and resupply missions , but none have ride out alongside .
Black woman have been a vital part of NASA mission since the very beginning . The brilliant mathematician and engineers known as the West Area Computers [ PDF ] were instrumental in former space ocean trip , while spaceman likeMae Jemison , Joan Higginbotham , and Stephanie Wilson [ PDF ] have helped expand our knowledge of this spectacular universe .
In a video celebrate the release ofHiddenFigures , Epps offers brief but solid advice to young cleaning lady look at careers in science , technology , engineering , and math ( STEM ) .
For more updates , come after Jeanette on Twitter@Astro_Jeanette .
[ h / tSmithsonian ]
