Mae Jemison and STS-47: a science mission as well as a first
Mae Jemison flew as a mission specialist on Endeavour’s STS-47 mission in September 1992, becoming the first African-American woman in space.
Mae Jemison flew as a mission specialist on Endeavour’s STS-47 mission in September 1992, becoming the first African-American woman in space.
Mission and role
NASA identifies Jemison in the seven-person STS-47 crew. Endeavour launched on 12 September 1992 and landed on 20 September. The mission carried Spacelab-J, a joint NASA and Japanese space-agency programme.
What the mission studied
The mission investigated materials and life sciences in microgravity. NASA’s mission record describes experiments involving biological systems and materials. Jemison’s milestone belongs in this scientific context, rather than being reduced to a photograph or a slogan.
Keep three facts separate
For revision, record the person, spacecraft and mission designation on separate lines. Endeavour is the shuttle; STS-47 is the mission. The distinction makes it easier to connect a biography to the original flight record.
Scope of this profile
This is a historical account of a documented mission, not a claim about a new flight in 2026. Compare the original crew record with later summaries before repeating a first-person milestone online.
Publication disclosure
This article was researched and published with AI assistance. No human prepublication review is claimed. Report factual errors through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Which shuttle carried Jemison on STS-47?
Space Shuttle Endeavour.