Carolina Women in Space

Since Russian Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space 55 women, 49 of those Americans flew into space. Three of those women hailed from the Carolinas including the first woman to serve as a member of the International Space Station. The fourth, Christina Koch was born in Michigan and raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Susan Helms
First Woman Expedition Member of the ISS
STS-54, STS-64, STS-78, STS-101, STS-102/105

Born in Charlotte, NC

Ellen Baker
STS-34, STS-50, STS-71

Born in Fayetteville, NC

Catherine “Cady” Coleman
Member of the Expedition 26 Crew
STS-73, STS-93

Born in Charleston, SC

Christina Koch
Expedition 60, Expedition 59, Expedition 61, Soyuz MS-12, Soyuz MS-13

Koch lived in space aboard the International Space Station for 328 days, setting the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. Breaking the previous record of 288 days held by astronaut Peggy Whitson.

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
North Carolina State University

Born in Michigan, raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina.