Christina Hammock Koch is an American engineer and NASA astronaut. She pursued her childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, earning two Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering and physics from North Carolina State University. Koch made significant contributions to scientific instruments on various NASA missions and held diverse roles, including serving as a Research Associate in the United States Antarctic Program. In 2019, she made history as part of the first all-female spacewalk and broke the record for the longest continuous time spent in space by a woman. Koch’s achievements have solidified her place in women’s history and she continues to push the boundaries of space exploration as part of the Artemis II flight crew.

Bonnie Jeanne Dunbar, born on March 3, 1949, is an American engineer and retired NASA astronaut. She is widely recognized for her significant contributions to the field of space exploration over the years. Dunbar’s career took her on five Space Shuttle missions between 1985 and 1998, encompassing two dockings with the Mir space station.

Lisa Marie Nowak, an American aeronautical engineer, former NASA astronaut, and United States Navy officer, has had both notable achievements and personal challenges in her life. She excelled academically and pursued her passion for aviation and space, ultimately becoming an astronaut and flying aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. However, her career took a downward turn after she was involved in a criminal incident, resulting in her arrest and termination from both NASA and the Navy. Despite this, her contributions to aeronautics are still significant and she serves as an inspiration for women in STEM.

Susan Kilrain, born on October 24, 1961, in Augusta, Georgia, is an American aerospace engineer, former United States Navy officer, and former NASA astronaut. She holds the distinction of being the youngest person to pilot a Space Shuttle and has over 3,000 hours of flight time. Kilrain’s groundbreaking achievements have solidified her place in history and paved the way for future generations of women in the field.

Wendy Barrien Lawrence (born July 2, 1959) is a retired United States Navy Captain, an engineer, and former helicopter pilot and NASA astronaut. She was the first female graduate of the United States Naval Academy to fly into space and she has also visited the Russian Space Station Mir. She was a mission specialist on STS-114, the first Space Shuttle flight after the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. She is married to Cathy Watson, a former NASA scientist.

Marsha Sue Ivins, born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1951, is an American retired astronaut and a veteran of five Space Shuttle missions. She is widely recognized for her significant contributions to NASA and her remarkable achievements in space exploration.