Pratiwi Sudarmono facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pratiwi Sudarmono
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| Born | 31 July 1952 |
| Status | Retired |
| Nationality | Indonesian |
| Occupation | Scientist |
| Space career | |
| Selection | September 30, 1985 |
| Missions | STS-61-H (Canceled) |
Pratiwi Pujilestari Sudarmono (born on July 31, 1952) is a famous Indonesian scientist. She is a professor who studies tiny living things called microbiology at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta. She was also chosen to be an astronaut, almost flying into space!
Contents
Early Life and Education
Pratiwi Sudarmono studied hard to become a scientist. She earned her first advanced degree from the University of Indonesia in 1977. Later, in 1984, she received her Ph.D. (a very high degree) in Molecular Biology from the University of Osaka in Japan. Molecular Biology is the study of life at a very small, basic level.
Her Scientific Career
After finishing her studies, Pratiwi Sudarmono began her work as a scientist. She received a special grant from the World Health Organization (WHO). With this grant, she researched the molecular biology of Salmonella typhi. This is a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness.
From 1994 to 2000, she led the Department of Microbiology at the Medical Faculty of the University of Indonesia. This means she was in charge of teaching and research in microbiology. Later, from 2001 to 2002, she was a special scholar in the Fulbright Program. This program helps people from different countries learn and share knowledge.
Almost an Astronaut: Space Shuttle Mission STS-61-H
In October 1985, Pratiwi Sudarmono was chosen for an amazing opportunity. She was picked to be a Payload Specialist for a NASA Space Shuttle mission called STS-61-H. A Payload Specialist is a scientist or expert who goes into space to do specific experiments or tasks.
Another Indonesian, Taufik Akbar, was her backup for the mission. This means if Pratiwi couldn't go, Taufik would take her place. The mission planned to launch an Indonesian satellite called Palapa B-3.
However, a sad event changed everything. After the Challenger disaster in 1986, NASA stopped launching commercial satellites on the Space Shuttle. Because of this, the STS-61-H mission was canceled. Pratiwi Sudarmono never got to fly into space. The Palapa B-3 satellite was later launched using a different type of rocket called a Delta rocket.
Awards and Recognition
In 2019, Pratiwi Sudarmono was honored for her important work. She received the GE Indonesia Recognition for Inspiring Women in STEM award. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This award celebrates women who inspire others in these fields.
See also
In Spanish: Pratiwi Sudarmono para niños
