Career Timeline of Mae Jemison: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 14, 2026

How Mae Jemison built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Mae Jemison is an American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut, notable for being the first African-American woman to travel to space. She joined NASA's astronaut corps in 1987 and flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-47 in September 1992. During this mission, the Endeavour orbited the Earth for nearly eight days, solidifying Jemison's place in history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1982: Internship at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center

In 1982, Mae Jemison interned at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center.

1983: Doctor for the Peace Corps

In 1983, Mae Jemison became a doctor for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

October 1985: Applied to the Astronaut Program

In October 1985, Mae Jemison applied to the astronaut program.

1985: End of Peace Corps service

In 1985, Mae Jemison concluded her service as a doctor for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

1985: End of service at Peace Corps

In 1985, Mae Jemison concluded her service as a medical officer with the Peace Corps.

1987: Joined NASA's Astronaut Corps

In 1987, Mae Jemison joined NASA's astronaut corps.

1987: Reapplied and Was Chosen for NASA Astronaut Group 12

In 1987, Mae Jemison reapplied to the astronaut program and was selected out of roughly 2,000 applicants for 15 slots in NASA Astronaut Group 12.

September 28, 1989: Selected for STS-47 Crew

On September 28, 1989, Mae Jemison was selected to join the STS-47 crew as Mission Specialist 4 and was also designated Science Mission Specialist.

1990: Served on the board of directors of the World Sickle Cell Foundation

From 1990, Mae Jemison served on the board of directors of the World Sickle Cell Foundation.

1992: Travelled into Space

In 1992, Mae Jemison became the first African-American woman to travel into space, serving as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-47.

1992: Space Mission on Space Shuttle Endeavour

In 1992, Mae Jemison flew her only space mission from September 12 to 20 as part of the seven-member crew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-47. She logged over 190 hours in space.

1992: End of service on the board of directors of the World Sickle Cell Foundation

Until 1992, Mae Jemison served on the board of directors of the World Sickle Cell Foundation.

March 1993: Resigned from NASA

In March 1993, Mae Jemison resigned from NASA to start a company.

1993: Appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation

In 1993, Mae Jemison appeared as Lieutenant Palmer in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, becoming the first real-life astronaut to appear on Star Trek.

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1993: Founded The Jemison Group Inc.

In 1993, Mae Jemison founded The Jemison Group Inc., a consulting firm.

1993: Left NASA and Founded a Technology Research Company

In 1993, Mae Jemison left NASA and founded a technology research company. She also appeared on an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

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1994: Host and Consultant for World of Wonder

From 1994, Mae Jemison appeared as host and technical consultant of the science series World of Wonder which aired on the Discovery Channel.

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1994: Founded The Earth We Share science camp

In 1994, Mae Jemison founded The Earth We Share, a science camp for students aged 12 to 16, as one of the projects of the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence.

1995: Professor at Dartmouth College

From 1995, Mae Jemison was a professor of environmental studies at Dartmouth College.

1998: End of Host and Consultant for World of Wonder

Until 1998, Mae Jemison appeared as host and technical consultant of the science series World of Wonder which aired on the Discovery Channel.

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1999: Appointed Professor-at-Large at Cornell University

From 1999, Mae Jemison was appointed an Andrew Dickson White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University.

1999: Andrew D. White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University

In 1999, Mae Jemison became an Andrew D. White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University.

1999: Founded BioSentient Corp

In 1999, Mae Jemison founded BioSentient Corp and obtained the license to commercialize AFTE.

2001: Publication of "Find Where the Wind Goes"

In 2001, Mae Jemison's first book, Find Where the Wind Goes, a memoir for children, was published.

Find Where the Wind Goes: Moments From My Life

Check it on Amazon

2002: End of Professorship at Dartmouth College

Until 2002, Mae Jemison was a professor of environmental studies at Dartmouth College.

2005: End of Professorship at Cornell University

Until 2005, Mae Jemison was appointed an Andrew Dickson White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University.

March 2009: Forum with Michelle Obama

In March 2009, Mae Jemison participated with First Lady Michelle Obama in a forum for promising girls in the Washington, D.C. public schools.

2012: Won DARPA's 100 Year Starship Project Bid

In 2012, Mae Jemison, through the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, won the bid for the DARPA 100 Year Starship project.

2013: Published A True Book series

In 2013, Mae Jemison co-authored A True Book series of four children's books with Dana Meachen Rau, published in 2013.

2014: Wayne State University Tribute Luncheon

In 2014, Mae Jemison appeared at Wayne State University for their annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Luncheon.

2016: Partnership with Bayer Corporation

In 2016, Mae Jemison partnered with Bayer Corporation to promote and advance science literacy in schools, emphasizing hands-on experimentation.

February 2017: Michigan State University Lecture Series

In February 2017, Mae Jemison took part in the Michigan State University's lecture series, "Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey".

May 2017: Commencement Speech at Rice University

In May 2017, Mae Jemison gave the commencement speech at Rice University and also discussed the 100 Year Plan, science and education and other topics at Western Michigan University also in May 2017.

2018: Collaborated for Science Matters Initiative

In 2018, Mae Jemison collaborated with Bayer Crop Science and National 4-H Council for the Science Matters initiative, aimed at encouraging children in agricultural sciences.