Nora Al Matrooshi, an Emirati woman, recently became the first Arab woman to complete her training at NASA and officially call herself an astronaut. She graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and continued her training in Finland before being selected by the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA) to join NASA's training program in 2021 [09e904db]. After two years of dedicated effort, Nora completed the rigorous program on March 5, 2024, making her the first Arab Muslim woman to qualify for NASA space missions [09e904db]. Nora's faith has influenced her pursuit of a career in space, and she believes there is no clash between her Emirati identity and the universal pursuit of space exploration [09e904db]. Nora's training involved collaboration with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, and she emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness and being a good team member [09e904db]. With plans for future space missions, including trips to the moon and Mars under NASA's Artemis program, Nora's long-term goals include being part of the UAE's contribution to the program and fulfilling her dream of a mission to the surface of the moon [09e904db].
Marine Col. Nicole Mann, a member of the Wailacki tribe of the Round Valley Indian Tribes, is the first female Indigenous astronaut and only the second Indigenous person to go to space. Mann shared her journey to becoming an astronaut at an event hosted by Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, Arizona [e5e221d4]. She initially wanted to serve in the military but didn't consider becoming an astronaut until she saw bios of current astronauts who were Marines, fighter pilots, and had engineering degrees. Mann applied to NASA's astronaut class in 2013 and completed her training in 2015. She launched to the International Space Station on October 5, 2022, as commander of NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 mission. Mann spent 157 days in orbit, conducting two spacewalks and supporting two spacewalks as a robotic arm operator. Her story of being a mother and a professional resonated with students at the event, particularly those who are nontraditional students with family duties [e5e221d4].