Jessica Watkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jessica Watkins
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Watkins in 2019
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Jessica Andrea Watkins
May 14, 1988 Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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170d 13h 3m |
| Selection | NASA Group 22 (2017) |
| Missions | SpaceX Crew-4 (Expedition 67/68) |
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Mission insignia
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geology |
| Thesis | Tectonic and Aqueous Processes in the Formation of Mass-Wasting Features on Mars and Earth (2015) |
| Doctoral advisor | An Yin |
Jessica Andrea Watkins (born May 14, 1988) is an American NASA astronaut. She is also a geologist, an aquanaut (someone who lives underwater for research), and a former international rugby player.
In April 2022, Jessica Watkins became the first Black woman to complete a long mission on the International Space Station (ISS). On June 9, 2022, she set a new record. She became the African American woman with the most time spent in space. She passed the previous record held by Stephanie Wilson.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jessica Watkins was born on May 14, 1988. Her parents are Michael and Carolyn Watkins. She was born in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Later, her family moved to Lafayette, Colorado. She finished Fairview High School in 2006.
She then went to Stanford University. There, she earned a bachelor's degree. Her studies were in geological and environmental sciences. She was also a member of the university's rugby team.
After Stanford, Watkins earned a Ph.D. in geology. She studied at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her research looked at how landslides form on Mars and Earth. She also studied the role of water in these events. Before becoming an astronaut, Watkins worked at the California Institute of Technology. She was also an assistant coach for the women's basketball team there.
Rugby Career Highlights
Watkins started playing rugby in her first year at Stanford. She played on the team for four years. In 2008, her team won the Division I national championship. She was named a First Team Collegiate Rugby All-American in both 2008 and 2010.
She also played for the American women's national rugby team. She played sevens rugby for the USA Eagles. In 2009, her team finished third at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens. During that World Cup, she scored the most tries for the US team.
NASA Astronaut Career
Even before becoming an astronaut, Watkins worked with NASA. As a college student, she helped with the Mars Phoenix lander. She also tested a prototype Mars drill. In 2009, she was the chief geologist for a NASA research crew. This crew worked at the Mars Desert Research Station.
As a graduate student, she worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She helped with the NEOWISE project. This project surveyed asteroids near Earth. Watkins also helped plan for the Mars rover Curiosity. In 2011, she was part of a science team for a special analog mission.
She helped plan for the Mars 2020 rover. She also worked on a Mars sample-return mission. She was a science team member for a Desert Research and Technology Studies mission. As a postdoctoral fellow, she helped plan daily activities for the Mars rover. She used its images to study the geology of Mars. In 2016, she also helped design a possible mission to Uranus called OCEANUS.
In June 2017, Watkins was chosen to be part of NASA Astronaut Group 22. She began her two-year training in August. In December 2020, she was picked for the Artemis Team. This team aims to return humans to the Moon. The Moon landing mission is now planned for 2027 or later.
In November 2021, she became the first Black woman from her astronaut group to be assigned a long mission. This mission was to the International Space Station (ISS). She was the final member of SpaceX Crew-4. This crew launched into space in April 2022.
This was Watkins' first time in space. She served as a mission specialist for six months. Her job included observing and photographing Earth's geological changes. She also did other research on Earth and space science. She studied biological science and how long spaceflights affect humans.
NEEMO 23 Mission
Watkins took part in the NEEMO 23 mission. This mission happened from June 10 to 22, 2019. It tested new technologies and goals for deep space and Moon explorations. These tests were done on the seafloor. Watkins' NEEMO mission was special. It was the first time an all-female research team led the mission. Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti was the leader.
Personal Life and Hobbies
Watkins' parents live in Lafayette, Colorado. She also has one sister. Her favorite hobbies include playing soccer, rock climbing, and skiing. She also enjoys creative writing.
Awards and Honors
Watkins has received many awards for her achievements. These include awards for her career, studies, and sports.
- Jessica Watkins Day, April 19, 2022, City of Lafayette, Colorado
- Stanford Earth Early- to Mid- Career Alumni Award, 2018
- Caltech Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences Chair's Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2015
- NASA Group Achievement Award, Mars Science Laboratory Prime Mission Science and Operations Team, 2015
- Harold and Mayla Sullwold Scholarship, UCLA, 2012
- Graduate Research Fellowship in Geosciences, National Science Foundation, 2012
- Diversity in the Geosciences Minority Research Grant Award, Geological Society of America, 2011
- Chancellor's Prize, UCLA, 2010
- Division I College Rugby National Champion, Stanford Women's Rugby, 2008
- USA Rugby Collegiate All-American, 2008-2010
- Women's Sevens Rugby World Cup Semi-finalist, USA Eagles, 2009
See also
In Spanish: Jessica Watkins para niños
