Astronaut Nicole Aunapu Mann will become the first Native American to go to Space.
Astronaut Nicole Aunapu Mann will become the first Native American to go to Space, confirms Indian Country Today reports. She will be part of the NASA crew set to launch into space abroad the SpaceX Dragon, next month.
Mann, The Wailacki of the Round Valley Indiana Tribes member will serve as the mission commander for the SpaceX-powered Crew-5 mission. The mission is going to head by September 29th to the International Space Station(ISS), NASA says. On her arrival, she will be the ISS Expedition 68’s flight engineer during her stay which will extend till 6 months.
The mission which is Crew-5 mission will also include- NASA’s Josh Cassada, Japan’s Koichi Wakata and Russia’s Anna Kikina to the ISS.
Before this, John Herrington became the first native American of any gender to go into space. Along with him, he carried nation’s flag and a traditional flute in his 13 day voyage.
On being interrogated about becoming the first Native American Woman to go to space by the newspaper Indiana Country Today, she told “It’s very exciting”.. Adding on, she also asserted that this should be communicated to her community so that the other native kids could be encouraged. Some of the barriers which existed earlier have begun to be broken now, she said.
Things Ms Mann will Carry Along
Mann has reported carrying “a dreamcatcher”, which her mother gave her when she was very young. She has been given 3.3 lb(1.4kg) weight for carrying all her personal items.
She will along with the three colleagues be hoarding the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and could also go to the Moon.
Mann’s Background
Originally from California, Mann pursued Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.
Later, she became a colonel in the Marine Corps and flew many fighter aircraft. Had also been deployed twice on aircraft carriers supporting combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ms Mann, had also been bestowed with six medals for her service in the US military.
In 2020, she was chosen among pool of astronauts for NASA’s Artemis Programme that sends humans to Moon.
According to Nasa, this will be her maiden spaceflight, ever since she became astronaut in 2013.
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