Karen Nyberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karen Nyberg
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| Born |
Karen LuJean Nyberg
October 7, 1969 |
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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180d |
| Selection | NASA Group 18 (2000) |
| Missions | STS-124 Soyuz TMA-09M (Expedition 36/37) |
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Mission insignia
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| Retirement | March 31, 2020 |
Karen LuJean Nyberg (born October 7, 1969) is an American mechanical engineer and a former NASA astronaut. She became the 50th woman to travel to space during her first mission in 2008. Karen Nyberg has a special advanced degree (a Ph.D.) in mechanical engineering. She began her work with space in 1991. Overall, she spent 180 days in space during missions in 2008 and 2013. She worked as a mission specialist on STS-124 and a flight engineer on Soyuz TMA-09M.
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Early Life and Education
Karen Nyberg was born on October 7, 1969. Her parents, Kenneth and Phyllis Nyberg, lived in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. She finished high school in Henning, Minnesota, in 1988.
Nyberg went to the University of North Dakota. She earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1994. She graduated with very high honors, called summa cum laude. She then continued her studies at the University of Texas at Austin. In 1996, she earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering.
Her studies focused on how the human body controls its temperature. She also studied how to keep astronauts warm or cool in space suits. This research helped her earn her doctorate degree in mechanical engineering in 1998. She received this degree from the University of Texas at Austin as well.
Becoming an Astronaut
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NASA chose Karen Nyberg to be an astronaut candidate in July 2000. She trained for two years and then became a qualified mission specialist. She worked on technical tasks for the Astronaut Office. She also supported the Expedition 6 crew during their six-month stay on the ISS.
In July 2006, Nyberg took part in NEEMO 10. This was a special training exercise held deep underwater. It took place at the Aquarius underwater laboratory. This training helped NASA get ready for future missions to the Moon and Mars. Nyberg and her team lived and worked underwater for seven days.
Space Missions
Karen Nyberg was part of the crew for STS-124. This mission flew to the ISS in May 2008. It was the second of three flights to deliver parts for the Japanese Kibō laboratory. In May 2009, she was assigned to the STS-132 mission. This mission launched in May 2010. However, she had to be replaced due to a temporary health issue. Nyberg then worked in a technical role at NASA.
Her next assignment was as a flight engineer for Expedition 36 and Expedition 37. She launched into space on Soyuz TMA-09M in 2013. On June 16, 2013, it was the 50th anniversary of the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova. On that day, Karen Nyberg was one of only two women in space. The other was Chinese astronaut Wang Yaping on the Shenzhou 10 mission.
In September 2013, Karen Nyberg shared a photo of a stuffed dinosaur. She had made it in orbit using scraps from the space station. This is believed to be the first stuffed animal made by hand in space. Astronauts often bring stuffed animals to space. They are not just for fun; they also float when the spacecraft enters orbit, showing that there is no gravity. During her mission, Nyberg did many different jobs. For example, she practiced emergency situations.
After her 2013 mission, Nyberg continued to work for NASA. She worked in different branches, including Space Shuttle, Exploration, and as Chief of the Robotics branch. Karen Nyberg retired from NASA in March 2020.
Personal Life
Karen Nyberg's hometown is Vining, Minnesota. She has Norwegian family roots. She is married to fellow astronaut Doug Hurley. They have a son together. They live in League City, Texas. Karen enjoys many hobbies. These include running, sewing, quilting, drawing, painting, backpacking, and playing the piano. She also loves spending time with her family.
Awards and Honors
Karen Nyberg has received many awards for her achievements. Some of these include:
- UND Young Alumni Achievement Award (2004)
- Space Act Award (1993)
- NASA JSC Patent Application Award (1993)
- NASA Tech Briefs Award (1993)
- NASA JSC Cooperative Education Special Achievement Award (1994)
- Joyce Medalen Society of Women Engineers Award (1993–94)
- D.J. Robertson Award of Academic Achievement (1992)
- University of North Dakota School of Engineering & Mines Meritorious Service Award (1991–1992)
In 2014, she received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. This is the highest award NASA gives to government employees.
See also
In Spanish: Karen L. Nyberg para niños
