Interview with Anna Fisher

 Jacqueline Cochran Breaking the Sound Barrier,
 Breaking the Barriers of Her Generation

Email Interview with Astronaut Anna Fisher, MD

"Fisher was a mission specialist on Space Shuttle mission STS-51A, the second flight of the orbiter Discovery, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, on November 8, 1984. Fisher was assigned to her flight two weeks before delivering her daughter and flew in space when her daughter was just fourteen months old, making her the first mother in space. Fisher logged a total of 192 hours in space. "

-NASA Article about Astronaut Anna Fisher, MD, 2017 by Megan Sumner

Astronaut Anna Fisher, MD Holding her Daughter |

Credit to Washington Life Magazine July 2019 Article

03/12/20

"Dear Anna,

There have actually been about 60 female astronauts, cosmonauts, and taikonauts, but I was very fortunate to be in the first group of six women ever selected for the US Space Program. I will now try to answer your question.

Astronaut Anna Fisher, MD in her suit | Credit to UCLA

1. There are many rewarding aspects of being an astronaut. For me, it was my dream since I was 12 yo listening to Alan Shepherd's suborbital flight in May 1961, the first American to launch into space. I loved the idea of combining my love of math and science with exploration. I think exploration is mankind's destiny as we have always tried to push our boundaries and find what lies beyond the horizon. I love the personal satisfaction of being an explorer, and now having the opportunity to encourage young women (and men) to pursue careers in STEM fields. The most fun part of being an astronaut is (of course) going into space, but it is also fun because no two days are ever the same and you are constantly learning.

2. The American female astronauts who have had the honor of going into space owe a huge debt to the Mercury 13. The paved the way and demonstrated that women did indeed have the 'right stuff' to fly in space. Unfortunately, none of them had the chance to fulfill their dreams, but they paved the way for us, and we are indeed grateful.

Anna Fisher, MD, Microgravity Training | Credit to NASA

3. In the past, it was definitely harder for women to become astronauts. Now there is really no difference. We have women mission specialists in virtually every area of science and medicine, and we now have women test pilots who flew combat missions. As long as you are very good in your specialty, you have the opportunity to be selected. Women have even performed difficult and physically demanding space walks as well as their male colleagues. As long as you are excellent in your chosen field, you have the same opportunity to be selected as a male.

Astronaut Anna Fisher, MD training | Credit to San Diego Air and Space Museum

4. Jackie Cochran performed an amazing feat breaking the sound barrier in 1953. But even more important, she was breaking down the barriers for women to pursue their dreams in aviation. Her role was certainly crucial along with all the other women (Amelia Earhart, the Mercury 13, and many others) who paved the way for the first six American female astronauts to be selected. And hopefully, we paved the way for the women who have come after us. Each generation has gone farther and done more than those who went before them, but it would not have been possible without the great legacy that was left for them to follow.

Reach for the stars,

Anna Fisher, MD (NASA Astronaut, ret)

From one Anna to another...."

Astronaut Anna Lee Fisher, MD, 2019 | Credit to NewsBeezer