Biography:
Catherine Grace Cady Coleman is an American chemist, engineer, former United States Air Force colonel, and retired NASA astronaut. She was born on December 14, 1960. Coleman has made significant contributions to the field of space exploration through her work as an astronaut and her expertise in chemistry and engineering.
Coleman completed her high school education at Wilbert Tucker Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia, graduating in 1978. During the following academic year, she embarked on an exchange program with the AFS Intercultural Programs, attending Røyken Upper Secondary School in Norway. This experience broadened her horizons and deepened her passion for intercultural understanding and collaboration.
Continuing her education, Coleman obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1983. It was during her time at MIT that she joined the intercollegiate rowing crew and resided in Baker House.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Coleman enrolled in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (Air Force ROTC) and was commissioned as a graduate. She went on to earn her Ph.D. in polymer science and engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1991 under the guidance of Professor Thomas J. McCarthy.
Coleman’s military career began in 1988 when she joined Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as a research chemist. While there, she actively participated in the NASA Long Duration Exposure Facility experiment as a surface analysis consultant. This experience further sparked her interest in space exploration.
In 1992, Coleman’s lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut became a reality when she was selected by NASA to join the Astronaut Corps. Her first mission, STS-73, took place in 1995 and was dedicated to scientific research. During this mission, known as USML-2, Coleman conducted various experiments in biotechnology, combustion science, and fluid physics. She also made headlines by reporting the sighting of an unidentified flying object (UFO) to Houston Mission Control.
Coleman’s second space flight occurred in 1999 as part of the STS-93 mission. As a mission specialist, she played a crucial role in deploying the Chandra X-ray Observatory and its Inertial Upper Stage. This telescope has provided invaluable insights into the universe and has greatly advanced our understanding of celestial objects.
Throughout her career, Coleman also served as Chief of Robotics for the Astronaut Office, overseeing robotic arm operations and training for all Space Shuttle and International Space Station missions. Her expertise and leadership were instrumental in the successful execution of numerous space missions.
Notably, in October 2004, Coleman embarked on the Aquarius underwater laboratory as part of the NEEMO 7 mission. Living and working underwater for eleven days, she contributed to the advancement of human exploration of extreme environments.
Coleman has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to space exploration and scientific research. She is a veteran of two Space Shuttle missions and has spent a total of 159 days in space. Through her pioneering work, she has inspired countless individuals, especially women, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).