NASA Astronaut Jessica Watkins Becomes the First Black Woman to Lead a Crew Into Orbit

According to AfroTech, NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins commanded NASA's SpaceX Crew-13, which launched Oct. 1 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, making her the first Black woman to lead a crew into orbit. The crew reached the International Space Station seven hours and 55 minutes later, which AfroTech describes as the fastest trip by a U.S. spacecraft.

Why It Matters for Atlanta Professionals

A Black first in one of the most selective careers there is. Watkins holds a doctorate in geology from UCLA and became a NASA astronaut in 2017.

Source

First reported by AfroTech (NASA mission): AfroTech report

Cover photo: Bill Stafford / NASA via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

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