Dr. Sian Proctor
In September 2021, Dr. Sian Proctor made history when she became the first African American woman to pilot a spacecraft—and not just any spacecraft. Dr. Proctor was selected to pilot Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital mission to space.
A scientist and geology professor at South Mountain Community College, Dr. Proctor is also a science communicator, an artist, and the founder of Space2inspire, which is rooted in her life goal to inspire others to produce art and strive for equality, inclusion, and diversity through space exploration or their own personal work.
Historic Mission: Inspiration4
Inspiration4 launched on September 16, 2021 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center—becoming the first-ever all-civilian crewed spaceflight. The Dragon spacecraft, the vessel carrying the mission’s four crewmembers, traveled across a low-earth orbit on a multi-day journey that orbited the Earth every 90 minutes—flying over more than 90 percent of the planet’s population.
The four crewmembers embodied the four pillars of the mission: Jared Isaacman, the flight commander who funded the mission, exemplifying Leadership; Hayley Arceneaus, a physician at St. Jude’s and a survivor of childhood cancer, representing Hope; Christopher Sembroski, a supporter of the mission’s fundraising, symbolizing Generosity; and Dr. Proctor, in her role as an entrepreneur and creator of Space2Inspire, beat out hundreds of other applicants to represent Prosperity.
The mission raised $222 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help end childhood cancer.
Journey to Space
Dr. Sian Proctor, an educator, entrepreneur, trained pilot, and public speaker, has been chasing space all her life. Born on the island of Guam more than 8 months after the Apollo 11 moon landings, she likes to think of herself as a celebration baby.
Because her father, a self-trained mathematician and scientist who never attended college, worked at a NASA tracking station, Dr. Proctor grew up with Neil Armstrong’s autograph on the wall of her father’s office.
As a Black female science student, she spent four years earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and geology at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. She spent another four years getting a master’s degree in geology. She then spent eight years earning her Ph.D. in science education at Arizona State University.
Dr. Proctor got her dream job as a direct result of her education. She became a geoscience professor at South Mountain Community College (SMCC) in Phoenix. During her 22 years teaching at SMCC, she’s been able to travel and teach around the world, get her pilot’s license, and get scuba certified—laying the groundwork for her involvement with NASA.
In 2009, Dr. Proctor became a finalist for NASA’s astronaut program. Although she didn’t get selected, she transitioned into becoming an analog astronaut—that is, a person who engages in human space flight training and research here on Earth.
She has participated in moon and Mars simulations around the world. During a four-month Mars simulation in Hawaii, she investigated food strategies for long-duration space flight. Her book “Meals for Mars Cookbook” catalogs her findings, but her major takeaway is: “If we solve for space, we solve for Earth.”
It is her goal to create a Just, Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive world (J.E.D.I. space) using “Space2inspire” as her motto.
Follow Dr. Proctor as She Blazes Her Own Trail
As an international motivational speaker, Dr. Sian Proctor often presents lectures on topics from inspiration to how to eat on Mars to the dangers of imposter syndrome. Dr. Proctor’s talks are especially essential for those aspiring to add diversity to the STEM field, or those in search of inspiration to reach both career and personal goals… and possibly the stars.
Dr. Proctor is also often featured in local, national, and global news as a professor at South Mountain Community College, years spent as an analog astronaut, and now as a crew member of the Inspiration4 space mission.