10 Ways Star Trek Changed People's Lives
2. Inspired The First African American Woman In Space
The first African American woman in space, Mae Jemison also happened to be a huge Star Trek fan. She cited Uhura as a cultural touchstone for her when growing up. "As a little girl growing up on the south side of Chicago in the ‘60s I always knew I was going to be in space." Indeed, Nichelle Nichols' work with NASA paved the way for Jemison to become an Astronaut.
After successfully applying to the Astronaut programme in 1987, Jemison fulfilled her childhood dream five years later when she traveled into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Occupying the newly created role of Science Specialist, Jemison was responsible for conducting numerous experiments during her 7 days in space.
Jemison left NASA a year later to pursue a career in science and social change. She also fulfilled another childhood dream when she was cast in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, by the actor LeVar Burton, who was on directing duties. In recent years, Jemison has been working on the 100 Year Starship programme, which aims to build a starship capable of boldly going into space by 2114.