Stephanie Diana Wilson is an American astronaut who was born on September 27, 1966, in Boston, Massachusetts. She is an accomplished engineer and pilot who has been a NASA astronaut since 1996 and has flown on four space shuttle missions.
Wilson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science from Harvard University in 1988 and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992. She also received a Master of Science degree in Space Studies from the International Space University in Strasbourg, France in 1993.
In 1996, Wilson was selected by NASA to become an astronaut and has since logged more than 42 days in space. Her first mission was STS-121 in 2006, where she served as a mission specialist and helped test new safety procedures for the space shuttle. Her second mission was STS-120 in 2007, where she was a mission specialist and helped assemble the International Space Station (ISS).
Wilson’s third mission was STS-131 in 2010, where she served as the flight engineer and helped deliver supplies to the ISS. Her fourth mission was STS-120 in 2017, where she served as the flight engineer and helped install new science equipment on the ISS.
Throughout her career, Wilson has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field of space exploration. She was inducted into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2008, and she received the NASA Space Flight Medal in 2007, 2010, and 2017 for her contributions to space shuttle missions. In addition to her work as an astronaut, Wilson has also served in leadership positions at NASA, including as the Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office.
Wilson has been a trailblazer for women and people of color in the field of aerospace engineering and space exploration. She has served as a role model for young people and has inspired many to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.