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In September 2021, Dr. Sian Proctor made history as the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft. Let’s delve into the extraordinary story of Dr. Proctor and the milestones she achieved along the way
Sian Proctor, a scholar, storyteller, and spacefarer, soared to the stars as part of the Inspiration4 crew, the first-ever flight of fully civilian astronauts.
Their mission: to inspire the world with their courage and compassion, and to support the lifesaving work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
For Proctor, reaching orbit was more than fulfilling a lifelong fantasy. It was a historic achievement for the Black community and a giant leap for the future of humanity in space.
What Was the Inspiration4 Mission and Why Was It Important?
Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman led the Inspiration4 mission, a historic flight that raised $100 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 
He was joined by three other civilians on the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule: Hayley Arceneaux, a St. Jude physician assistant and childhood cancer survivor; Chris Sembroski, an aerospace engineer and former Air Force veteran; and Sian Proctor, a community college professor and a finalist in NASA’s 2009 astronaut selection.
The crew trained extensively for the mission, which blasted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 15, 2021. They orbited the Earth for three days in the Resilience capsule, which reached an altitude of 367 miles (590 kilometers) – higher than the International Space Station and the Hubble Space Telescope.
During their time in space, they conducted scientific experiments, shared live views of Earth, and interacted with the public through social media.
The mission showcased the possibilities of commercial space tourism and supported St. Jude’s goal of curing childhood cancer.
How Did Sian Proctor Become the Pilot and the Artist of the Mission?
Proctor won her seat on the Inspiration4 mission through a contest that invited entrepreneurs to create an online store using Isaacman’s e-commerce platform, Shift4Shop, and submit a video explaining their business idea and how it would make a positive impact.
Proctor’s store, called Space2Inspire, sells art and clothing that celebrate diversity and inclusion in space. Her video showcased her passion for space and her vision for a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive (JEDI) space community.
She also highlighted her unique background and identity as a Black woman, a geoscientist, an analog astronaut, and a poet. Her video impressed the judges and earned her the opportunity to become the fourth and final crew member of Inspiration4.
As the pilot of the mission, Proctor was responsible for monitoring the spacecraft’s systems and performing manual maneuvers if needed. She also served as the mission’s artist, creating original paintings and poems inspired by her experience in space.
She used a specially designed digital tablet and stylus that worked in microgravity and shared her artwork with the world through her website and X account. Her artwork reflects her personal journey, her connection to nature and the universe, and her hope for a better future for humanity.
What Does Sian Proctor’s Achievement Mean for the Black Community and for Humanity?
Proctor’s achievement as the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft is a significant and inspiring one, especially considering the historical and ongoing barriers and challenges that Black people face in pursuing careers and opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Proctor is only the fourth Black woman to ever fly in space, following Mae Jemison, Stephanie Wilson, and Joan Higginbotham, who were all NASA astronauts.
She is also the first person of African descent to fly on a commercial spacecraft, opening the door for more diversity and representation in the emerging space industry.
Proctor hopes that her story and her artwork will inspire the next generation of Black space explorers and leaders and that her mission will contribute to a more equitable and inclusive future for humanity.
Conclusion: Sian Proctor
Sian Proctor is a trailblazer, a role model, and a space artist who has achieved a remarkable feat that will be remembered for years to come. Her journey to space was not a smooth or easy one, but she persevered and overcame many obstacles along the way.
She demonstrated courage, creativity, and compassion throughout the Inspiration4 mission, and shared her joy and gratitude with the world. She also used her platform and her voice to advocate for a cause that is close to her heart: supporting St. Jude and its mission to end childhood cancer.
She is an example of what is possible when one follows their dreams and passions, and uses their talents and skills to make a positive difference.
How will you follow her example and pursue your own dreams? How will you support the causes that matter to you?
The UK’s 10 Most Outstanding Black Achievers in 2024
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In this article, we will introduce you to the top 10 names on the Powerlist 2024
