Jessica Watkins is 38 years old as of October 2026. She was born on 14 May 1988.
American NASA astronaut and geologist who became the first Black woman to command an orbital spaceflight
Did you know?She played rugby for the United States national team and at the 2010 World Cup.
Quick facts
Date of birth14 May 1988
Age38
NationalityAmerican
BirthplaceGaithersburg, United States
Editor's Take:
Jessica Watkins combines science with spaceflight. She studied geology at Stanford. Her research focused on landslides on Mars. She worked with the team running NASA's Curiosity rover. NASA then picked her to train as an astronaut. Her first mission took her to the International Space Station for six months. In 2026 she became the first Black woman to command an orbital spaceflight. Her achievements have made her a role model for young scientists everywhere.
Key Milestones
2017: Selected by NASA
2022: Flies on Crew-4
2026: Commands Crew-13
Jessica Andrea Watkins (born May 14, 1988) is an American NASA astronaut, geologist, aquanaut, and former international rugby player. Watkins was announced as the first Black woman to serve on the International Space Station for a long-term mission in April 2022.
