Astronauts in Space
From A to Z, you can discover space professionals from across the globe who came with diverse backgrounds, STEM expertise, and eventually became astronauts! These profiles provide new and exciting ways to learn about STEM and Space related careers. Fun fact: Each of these profiles were researched and compiled by our high school co-op students over several school terms.
Image Credits are given to the rightful owners including NASA, CSA, ESA, JAXA, ISRO.
Chiaki Mukai is a doctor and astronaut from Tatebayashi, Japan. While working as a cardiovascular surgeon, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency approached her and offered her the opportunity to combine her love for medicine and science by conducting scientific research in space! 🧬🌌
In 1994, Chiaki joined NASA’s STS-65 mission as a payload specialist. In doing so, she became the first Japanese woman to fly in space. 🇯🇵🚀
Learn more about her
Chris Hadfield is a retired Canadian astronaut, engineer, fighter pilot, and singer from Sarnia Ontario.
He is celebrated for being the first Canadian to become a space mission specialist, operate the Canadarm in orbit, perform a spacewalk, and command the International Space Station.
Learn more about him
Dr. Franklin Chang Diaz is mechanical engineer, physicist, and former NASA astronaut from San Jose, Costa Rica.
He immigrated to the United States to pursue his goal of becoming an astronaut. This became true in 1980 when he became NASA's first Hispanic American astronaut. He flew in space in January 1986.
Learn more about him
Gherman Stepanovich Titov, a cosmonaut from Verkh-Zhilino Russia, was the first person to spend more than one day in space and the youngest person in space (at 25 years)! 🥳🚀
He studied at the military aviation school of pilots. In August 1961, he performed a space flight that lasted 1 day and 1 hour. German Titov managed to make 17 turns around the Earth, flying more than 700 thousand kilometers. 👩🏼🚀
Katya Echazaretta, from Guadalajara, Mexico, is an electrical engineer, science communicator, and civilian astronaut.
On June 4, 2022, 26-year-old Katya flew into space as part of Blue Origin's fifth human-crewed spaceflight, becoming the first Mexican-born woman and one of the youngest women to fly to space.
Learn more about her
Kayla Barron, from Pocatello Idaho, is an American submarine warfare officer, systems engineer and NASA astronaut! 🥳🚀
She went up to the International Space Station onboard the SpaceX Crew-3 mission as a mission specialist. She spent 176 days in space.
Mae C. Jemison, in 1992, became the first African American woman in space when she spent more than a week orbiting Earth aboard the *Endeavour*. 🚀
Currently, Jemison works to promote science education and provide individuals in minority groups with equal opportunities to pursue their interests in science and technology. 🔬🧬
Learn more about her
Peggy Whitson is an American biochemist and retired NASA astronaut. In addition to being the first female commander of the International Space Station, she holds the record among American astronauts and women for spending the most time in space, with over 665 days!
Rakesh Sharma, from Patiala India, is a former Indian Air Force pilot and cosmonaut. He became the first Indian citizen to go to space on April 3, 1984 onboard the Soyuz T-11.
He performed scientific and technical experiments like photographing India from space, and studying the effects of yoga when the body experiences weightlessness.
To this day, he remains the only Indian to have this honour!
