Born: 1964 (Chicago, Illinois)
Biography:
Joan Elizabeth Higginbotham was born on August 3, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up with a passion for space exploration and a love for science. This would eventually lead her to become an electrical engineer and a renowned NASA astronaut.
Higginbotham attended Whitney Young Magnet High School and graduated in 1982. She then went on to pursue her higher education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. Her thirst for knowledge and ambition did not stop there. She later obtained a master’s degree in management science in 1992 and another master’s degree in space systems in 1996, both from the Florida Institute of Technology.
In 1987, just two weeks after graduating from college, Higginbotham began her career at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida as a Payload Electrical Engineer in the Electrical and Telecommunications Systems Division. She quickly proved her abilities and within six months, she became the lead for the Orbiter Experiments (OEX) on OV-102, the Space Shuttle Columbia.
Throughout her tenure at KSC, Higginbotham worked on various crucial projects. She played a significant role in the Shuttle payload bay reconfiguration for all Shuttle missions and conducted electrical compatibility tests for all payloads flown aboard the Shuttle. She also received special assignments from KSC management, such as serving as the Executive Staff Assistant to the Director of Shuttle Operations and Management. Additionally, Higginbotham led a team of engineers in performing critical analysis for the Space Shuttle flow to support a simulation model tool. She even worked on an interactive display that detailed the Space Shuttle processing procedures at Spaceport United States (Kennedy Space Center’s Visitors Center).
In 1996, Higginbotham’s impressive accomplishments caught the attention of NASA, and she was selected as an astronaut candidate. She reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996 and began her journey towards becoming an astronaut. Throughout her career at NASA, she held various technical positions in different branches, including the Payloads & Habitability Branch, the Shuttle Avionics & Integration Laboratory (SAIL), and the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Operations Support Branch.
One of Higginbotham’s greatest achievements was her flight aboard Space Shuttle Discovery for mission STS-116. This mission took place in December 2006 and marked her entry into space. As a mission specialist, she played a critical role in the success of the mission. She became the third African American woman to venture into space, following in the footsteps of Mae Jemison and Stephanie Wilson.
Throughout her career, Higginbotham actively participated in 53 space shuttle launches during her 9-year tenure at Kennedy Space Center. Her dedication and contribution to the space program were invaluable.
Aside from her remarkable career in the field of space exploration, Higginbotham is also involved in various organizations. She is a member of the esteemed Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and The Links, Incorporated. Through these organizations, she continues to inspire and empower others.
Joan Higginbotham’s journey serves as a testament to the power of determination and hard work. Her groundbreaking achievements have paved the way for future generations, especially women, to pursue careers in space exploration. Her story is one of resilience, passion, and endless possibilities.
Awards:
– NASA Space Flight Medal