The audience was electrified during the 5th annual Space Education and Strategic Applications (SESA) conference, hosted by American Public University System (APUS), when they heard the keynote speech by Dr. Sian Proctor – astronaut, geoscientist, artist, and the first African American woman to pilot a spacecraft.
Dr. Proctor brings a unique perspective to the astronaut corps, blending her passion for space with a deep love for the arts. Her professional experience includes working as a geoscience professor for more than 25 years and her historic mission piloting SpaceX’s Inspiration4.
Yet, as she told her story to conference attendees, it wasn’t simply her achievements that resonated – it was her perseverance, positivity, and the creativity she brought to every challenge. While no astronaut has an easy career journey, Dr. Proctor’s story of persistence truly inspired the audience of students, educators and space enthusiasts.
A Journey Shaped by Passion
Dr. Proctor’s path to space was neither easy, nor quick. Growing up on the island of Guam, her father worked at a NASA tracking station during the Apollo missions. She shared about her father, a “hidden figure” in the space race who unleashed her fascination with space and inspired her to dream big and pursue her goals relentlessly.
“I applied to NASA’s astronaut program – and I didn’t get in. But I didn’t let that stop me,” Dr. Proctor told the audience. “That was just one step on my journey.”
Instead of seeing rejection as failure, she saw it as motivation. Proctor threw herself into analog missions – simulations designed to prepare astronauts for long-duration spaceflight on the moon and Mars. Each mission brought her closer to her ultimate goal of traveling into space.
In 2021, Dr. Proctor’s lifelong dream finally took flight – literally. She was selected to pilot SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission, the first all-civilian journey to orbit. For Dr. Proctor, this was a defining moment and the culmination of years of perseverance, hard work, and passion.
“I earned the prosperity seat on that flight because of my art,” she shared, reflecting on her award-winning poem “Space to Inspire.” The poem, which she recited for the audience, embodies her vision for a JEDI space: one that is Just, Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive.
“It was my authentic voice as both an artist and a poet that unlocked the opportunity,” she said, underscoring how creativity and authentic self-expression can lead to groundbreaking achievement.
Embracing Creativity in Space
Many people see science and art as two separate paths. But Dr. Proctor believes they’re a perfect pairing –space is the ultimate canvas.
“I realized that space wasn’t just about technology or astronauts – it was also about human expression and creativity,” she said.
Dr. Proctor became the first African American woman to paint in space, creating a vibrant watercolor while orbiting the Earth. In the video she shared with the audience, we saw her carefully working with water-based painting tools in microgravity, using the challenge of zero gravity to fuel her artistic expression.
She asked the audience, “What would you take with you to space?” It was a challenge to think about what passions, skills, and dreams one would bring along. “The most important thing you take to space,” she reminded everyone, “is yourself: your preparation, your persistence and your passion.”
Proctor’s message wasn’t just about her experiences in space, it was more about embracing who you are and pushing through self-doubt to reach your full potential.
The APUS Vision
As he set the stage for this annual event, APUS President Nuno Fernandes celebrated the University’s role in advancing space education and innovation.
“We are committed to giving students hands-on, team-centered research opportunities – something rare for an online institution,” Fernandes said. This is part of the University’s mission to make education more accessible and affordable, a vision that aligns with Dr. Proctor’s message of inclusion and equity in space.
A Future in Space Awaits
Dr. Proctor’s journey from an aspiring astronaut to an accomplished space explorer and artist is a powerful reminder that perseverance, authenticity and creativity can open doors to the stars. She didn’t just tell future space explorers to dream big – she gave them the blueprint to make it happen.
“Space has room for everyone,” she said. “You just have to be ready when the opportunity comes.”
For those inspired by her story, APUS offers a Space Studies program, providing an academic foundation for those interested in space. Students can get involved in hands-on projects, like tracking distant planets with the Exoplanet Transit Group, or joining the APUS Analog Research Group (AARG) for the chance to simulate real-world space missions. Through academic achievement and first-hand experience, students have the potential to gain knowledge and skills for the next wave of space exploration.
As space exploration continues to evolve, Dr. Proctor’s story is a testament to what’s possible when passion and creativity come together. The stars are not out of reach, and space will always have the power to inspire.
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