Mae Jemison

Mae Carol Jemison, MD, is an American physician and astronaut. She was the first African-American woman to travel in space, aboard the shuttle Endeavour. She served as the science mission specialist on the STS-47 Spacelab J flight, which launched. Jemison was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993. She is also a Star Trek fan. While in space, Jemison began each shift by informing Mission Control in Houston that "hailing frequencies were open."

In she appeared as Lieutenant junior grade Palmer in the Star Trek: The Next Generation sixth season episode. Jemison is also a good friend of Nichelle Nichols who visited her on the set while filming "Second Chances." She has the unique distinction of being the first "real" astronaut to ever appear on Star Trek. She was followed by E. Michael Fincke and Terry Virts, who appeared in Star Trek: Enterprise. Jemison also appeared in the television documentaries Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond in and How William Shatner Changed the World in.

Dr. Jemison is the leader of the 100 Year Starship Initiative, which seeks the launch of an interstellar voyage within the next 100 years. LeVar Burton serves on the group's advisory committee.