Sian Proctor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sian Hayley Proctor
Proctor in 2021
Born	(1970-03-28) 28 March 1970 (age 55) Hagåtña, Guam
Education	Arizona State University, PhD in Science Education (2006) Arizona State University, M.S. in Geology (1998) Edinboro University, B.S. in Environmental Science (1992)
Occupation	Geology professor, and science communicator
Known for	Private astronaut aboard Inspiration4 Science communicator Artist Author/poet Media personality
Scientific career
Institutions	South Mountain Community College
Thesis	Cognitive process strategies and performance on a contour map memory test (2006)
Doctoral advisor	Sarah K. Brem
Space career
Commercial astronaut
Time in space	2d 23h 3m
Missions	Inspiration4

Sian Hayley "Leo" Proctor (born March 28, 1970) is an amazing American astronaut, geology professor, artist, writer, and science communicator. She made history as the first female pilot of a private spaceship. She was also the first artist chosen to fly into space on an all-civilian mission called Inspiration4. This exciting journey happened on September 15, 2021.

As the pilot of the Inspiration4's SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, Dr. Proctor became the first African-American woman to pilot a spaceship. She also served as an education officer for the first Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) mission. In 2024, Dr. Proctor was selected to be a U.S. Science Envoy, representing the United States Department of State.

Since her spaceflight, Sian Proctor has become a well-known Afrofuturist artist, poet, and author. She is also the first African American astronaut to create art while in space. Dr. Proctor is a major in the Civil Air Patrol, where she helps with aerospace education in Arizona.

Dr. Sian Proctor: Astronaut, Artist, Educator

Early Life and Learning Journey

Sian Proctor was born on March 28, 1970, in Hagåtña, Guam. Her father, Edward Langley Proctor Jr., was an engineer who worked for NASA during the Apollo program. He helped with important communications from the Guam Remote Ground Terminal. Sian is the youngest of four children.

After the Apollo missions, her family moved to Minnesota and then to other states. They settled in Fairport, New York, when she was 14. She later graduated from Fairport High School.

Dr. Proctor attended Arizona State University. There, she earned a degree in environmental sciences and a master's degree in geology in 1998. In 2006, she completed her PhD in Science Education. That same year, she also earned her pilot's license.

She is a proud member of the Association of Space Explorers. In December 2022, she joined the National Space Council’s Users Advisory Group. This group helps guide decisions about space exploration.

Reaching for the Stars: Sian Proctor's Space Career

Becoming a NASA Astronaut Finalist

Dr. Proctor was a finalist for the 2009 NASA Astronaut Selection Process. She was one of 47 people chosen from over 3,500 applicants. Although she wasn't selected that time, it showed her incredible talent and dedication.

Piloting the Inspiration4 Mission

The Inspiration4 crew visited the Johnson Space Center at NASA.

Dr. Proctor flew into space as a private astronaut and pilot for the Inspiration4 mission. This historic flight launched on September 15, 2021. She earned her spot, known as the Prosperity seat, by winning an entrepreneur competition. During her training, she received the call sign Leo.

She flew with Jared Isaacman, Hayley Arceneaux, and Chris Sembroski. This was the first space mission where everyone on board was a private citizen. In August 2021, Dr. Proctor and her crewmates were featured on the cover of Time magazine.

Representing the U.S. as a Science Envoy

As a scientist and astronaut, Dr. Proctor was chosen as a U.S. Science Envoy in 2024. In this role, she represents the United States Department of State. Her mission is to promote the peaceful use of space around the world. She helps connect researchers, encourages space science education, and highlights why space science is so important. The 2024 group of U.S. Science Envoys was the first ever to be all women.

Inspiring Through Science Education

Simulating Space on Earth: HI-SEAS

Dr. Proctor worked as the education outreach officer for the HI-SEAS mission in 2013. This NASA-funded project simulated life on Mars or the Moon. Its goal was to study food strategies for long space missions.

During the four-month simulation, Dr. Proctor was a photographer for Discover Magazine. She also filmed a YouTube series called Meals for Mars, showing how they ate in their simulated space habitat.

Exploring Polar Regions with PolarTREC

In 2014, Dr. Proctor was selected as a PolarTREC teacher. This program, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), connects teachers with scientists. These scientists conduct research in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. She spent a month in Barrow, Alaska, studying how climate change affects the coastline and local community.

Astronomy Education in Chile

In 2016, Dr. Proctor became an ACEAP Ambassador. This National Science Foundation (NSF) program sends educators to U.S. astronomy facilities in Chile. She visited amazing places like the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), Gemini South Observatory, and the Atacama Large Millimeter-submillimeter Array (ALMA).

She returned to San Pedro, Chile, in 2017. There, she worked with local high schools and communities to promote STEM education.

Researching at Sea with NOAA

Dr. Proctor joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Teacher at Sea program in 2017. This program gives teachers real-world research experience on ships. For three weeks, she studied pollock fish in the Bering Sea aboard the vessel Oscar Dyson. She shared her daily experiences on the NOAA blog.

Sharing Science with the World

Sian Proctor speaking at the Space 2101 camp at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in 2023.

Dr. Proctor is a popular international speaker. She shares her knowledge about science education, leadership, space simulations, and the importance of diversity in science. She has also given several TEDx Talks. Her space-flown pressure suit is on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.

Art Inspired by Space

Dr. Proctor is a talented artist, painter, and poet. She is known for her Afrofuturist art, which uses digital, multi-media, and painting styles. Her art often explores themes of connection and the divine, which she calls AfroGaia. After her spaceflight, her work often features "Earthlight." This is the beautiful glow of sunlight reflecting off Earth and back into space.

She is an artist-in-residence at Arizona State University. While orbiting Earth on the Crew Dragon spaceship, she became the first African-American to create art in space.

On Screen: Sian Proctor's Appearances

Dr. Proctor has appeared in many television shows and documentaries.

See also

In Spanish: Sian Proctor para niños