One woman is making history in Space.
Jessica Watkins, a crew-4 astronaut, will be the first black woman to ever spend six months at the International Space Station and the fifth black woman to go to space.
As of 9:15 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 27, she and other crew members are aboard the International Space Station, according to NASA.
She has been training for this moment for two years and “reported for duty” in 2017, according to NASA.
“You know, I think for me I am just really honored to be a part of the long legacy of black astronauts and black women astronauts who came before me,” Jessica Watkins said.
This has been a dream of Jessica Watkins since she was a child.
Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” and Jessica Watkins said she’s “super excited” about the opportunity to “just observe the Earth.”
“She wrote a little poem as probably-what an eight or nine-year-old about her going to space and being an astronaut,” Carolyn Watkins, Jessica’s mother, told Wesh 2 News.
Her family is in full support of Jessica Watkins achieving her dream and didn’t hesitate to express their excitement.
“You see the joy she’s experiencing in this moment and that just makes my heart so happy. She’s living her best life,” Jasmine Watkins, Jessica’s sister, said.
Even through all that excitement her family still has their worries and concerns too, as they realize the journey she is about to embark on.
“Jessica has said that she’s donating her body to science. That’s the nature of being an astronaut,” Michael Watkins, Jessica’s father, said.
Nonetheless, they are still going to keep the faith and trust in God to keep Jessica Watkins and the rest of the crew safe in space, according to Wesh 2 News.
“She’s still our Jessie, our little Jessie, and that has never changed. We’re very blessed, very proud of her,” Carolyn Watkins said.
