3... 2... 1... blast off!
Four astronauts zoomed into space on Wednesday. They took off from Florida. They flew to the International Space Station (ISS). This marked a moment in American history. Nicole Aunapu Mann became the first woman in space!
Mann took off aboard a spacecraft called “Dragon.” Joining her was fellow American Josh Cassada. Anna Kikina from Russia and Koichi Wakata from Japan were there too. They’ll live and work for six months aboard the ISS. Mann isn’t just a member of this crew. She is the !
Mann is a member of the Wailacki Tribe. That is part of the Round Valley Indian Tribes. The group’s spokesperson said the tribes are “proud” of Mann.
“Nicole has accomplished something few Americans dare to dream,” added the spokesperson. “She blazed a trail for Indian girls all over America.” Mann helped girls “set their sights, dreams, and goals beyond this world.” And she proved “there is no limit.”
This may be Nicole Mann’s first visit to space. But she worked for years to prepare. Mann studied . By 2004, Mann was flying planes. Mann piloted nearly 50 missions for the U.S. Marines. She flew 2,500 hours in 25 types of aircraft.
But Mann wanted to fly higher. In 2013, she joined NASA. Now Mann has taken her goals out of this world! She will help do science in space.
Mann has advice for anyone who wants to go to space. “There’s lots of ways to become an astronaut,” she said. “But the one thing everyone has in common is that they love what they do.”
“I’ve stumbled,” Mann admitted. “Everybody stumbles,” she added. “When you do, pick yourself back up,” Mann continued. “Push forward and then go after that next goal.”
But Mann hasn’t achieved all her goals yet. She may be the first woman on the Moon!
Updated October 6, 2022, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Tyler Burdick
