Mae Jemison | OtterKnow Kids Encyclopedia

Who Is Mae Jemison?

Mae Carol Jemison is an American astronaut, engineer, and physician who made history on September 12, 1992, when she became the first African American woman to travel to space. She flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-47 and spent nearly eight days orbiting Earth. Before she became an astronaut, Jemison was already a medical doctor who had worked in West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. Her story inspires millions of people, especially young girls and people of color, to pursue careers in science and exploration. Mae Jemison showed the world that talent and determination can break through any barrier.

Early Life and Childhood

Mae Jemison was born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama, but her family moved to Chicago, Illinois, when she was three years old. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, she developed a love for science at a very young age and spent hours reading books about astronomy and nature. She was fascinated by the stars and the idea of traveling to space, and she watched the Apollo moon missions on television with great excitement. Jemison was also interested in dance, art, and languages, showing that a person can have many passions at once. Her parents and teachers encouraged her curiosity and told her she could achieve anything she set her mind to.

Education and Medical Career

Jemison was an excellent student who graduated from high school at just 16 years old and earned a scholarship to Stanford University in California. At Stanford, she studied chemical engineering and African American studies, graduating in 1977. She then went to Cornell University Medical College, where she earned her medical degree in 1981. During medical school, she traveled to Cuba, Kenya, and Thailand to provide medical care to people in need. After finishing her training, Jemison joined the Peace Corps and served as a medical officer in Sierra Leone and Liberia in West Africa for more than two years.

Becoming an Astronaut

After returning from the Peace Corps, Jemison decided to pursue her childhood dream of going to space. She applied to NASA’s astronaut program in 1985, but the selection process was delayed after the tragic Challenger shuttle disaster in January 1986. Jemison applied again and was chosen in June 1987 as one of only 15 people selected from about 2,000 applicants. She completed a year of rigorous astronaut training at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Jemison became the first African American woman ever accepted into NASA’s astronaut training program.

The STS-47 Mission

On September 12, 1992, Mae Jemison launched into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour as a mission specialist on the STS-47 Spacelab-J mission. This mission was a cooperative project between the United States and Japan, focused on conducting scientific experiments in microgravity. During the nearly eight-day mission, Jemison conducted experiments on bone cell growth, motion sickness, and how weightlessness affects the development of frog eggs. The crew orbited Earth 127 times and traveled more than 3.3 million miles. When the shuttle landed on September 20, Jemison had proven that she belonged among the stars.

Life After NASA

Jemison left NASA in March 1993, just six months after her historic flight, to pursue other goals. She founded the Jemison Group, a technology consulting company that works to bring advanced technology to everyday life and to developing countries. She also started the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, named after her mother, which runs programs to get young students excited about science. One of the foundation’s most popular programs is The Earth We Share, an international science camp for students ages 12 to 16. Jemison has also taught as a professor at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and at Cornell University.

Leading the 100 Year Starship Project

In 2012, Jemison was chosen to lead the 100 Year Starship project, an initiative funded by DARPA and NASA to develop the technology needed for interstellar travel within the next century. The project brings together scientists, engineers, artists, and storytellers to think about what it would take for humans to travel to another star system. Jemison believes that reaching for the stars pushes humanity to solve problems here on Earth, like developing cleaner energy and better medical treatments. She has said that space exploration is not just about rockets and technology but also about understanding different cultures and working together as a global community.

Mae Jemison’s Legacy

Mae Jemison has received many honors for her achievements, including being inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame. She has appeared on television, including a guest role on the show Star Trek: The Next Generation, making her the first real astronaut to appear on Star Trek. Jemison has written several books, including an autobiography called “Find Where the Wind Goes,” which encourages young people to follow their dreams. Her life shows that with hard work, curiosity, and courage, it is possible to break barriers and reach for the highest goals. Mae Jemison’s achievements in science, medicine, and space travel have opened doors for people of all backgrounds.