NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins has reached another milestone in space exploration, becoming the first Black woman to command a crew into orbit. Her achievement marks a significant moment for Black women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
On October 1, 2026, Watkins commanded NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission, which launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The four-person crew traveled to the International Space Station (ISS), where they joined astronauts already working aboard the orbiting laboratory.
But Jessica Watkins’ achievement did not happen overnight.
A geologist by training, Watkins earned her bachelor's degree in geological and environmental sciences from Stanford University and a doctorate in geology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Before becoming an astronaut, she worked at NASA’s Ames Research Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She also contributed to the science team behind NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover.
NASA selected Watkins as an astronaut in 2017. In 2022, she became the first Black woman to complete a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. During that mission, she spent approximately 170 days in space and orbited Earth 2,720 times. Her leadership of Crew-13 represents another important milestone in her career.
The mission involves more than reaching space. Watkins and her crewmates support scientific research aboard the ISS, contributing to investigations that could improve human health, disease research, and crop production. Such work helps scientists better understand life in space and develop knowledge that can benefit people on Earth.
Her achievement also adds to the legacy of Black women who have helped expand humanity’s understanding of space. Mae Jemison became the first Black woman in space in 1992, while Sian Proctor became the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft during the Inspiration4 mission in 2021. Watkins’ accomplishment represents a different milestone: commanding a crew into orbit.
Jessica Watkins’ journey is a powerful reminder of what dedication, education, and scientific curiosity can make possible. Her leadership opens another chapter in space exploration and gives young Black girls another example of what they can pursue in science and beyond.
What does Jessica Watkins’ achievement mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments. Would you encourage more young Black girls to pursue careers in space science and engineering?
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