In 1984, the Space Shuttle Discovery carried Anna Lee Fisher into orbit during the STS-51-A mission, marking the first time a mother traveled into space. Her selection as part of the NASA Astronaut Group 8 in 1978 represented a shift in the American space program, as she was among the first group of female astronaut candidates.
Academic Background and Medical Training
Born in Albany, New York, in 1949, Fisher moved frequently during her childhood due to her father's military service. After graduating from San Pedro High School in 1967, she attended the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1971 before transitioning to the UCLA School of Medicine. She obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1976 and specialized in emergency medicine, completing an internship at Harbor General Hospital in Torrance, California.
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While working as an emergency physician, Fisher applied to NASA following a recruitment push for medical professionals. After a rigorous selection process at the Johnson Space Center, she joined the astronaut corps in January 1978. Her early contributions included ground-based testing of the Canadarm remote manipulator system and supporting Space Shuttle flight operations as a member of the recovery helicopter crews. She later performed verification tasks for shuttle flight software at the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory.
Spaceflight and Subsequent Contributions
During the STS-51-A mission, Fisher utilized the Canadarm to execute the retrieval of two satellites that had been placed in incorrect orbits. Following this mission, she took a leave of absence between 1989 and 1995 to prioritize her family. She eventually returned to the Astronaut Office to focus on International Space Station training and procedures. Her later career involved serving as a lead capsule communicator for Expedition 33 and contributing to the interface design for the Orion spacecraft before her retirement from NASA in April 2017.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, Albany, New York
- Education: UCLA, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, 1971
- Medical Degree: UCLA, Doctor of Medicine, 1976
- NASA Selection: January 1978, Astronaut Group 8
- Spaceflight: STS-51-A, November 1984
- Retirement from NASA: April 2017
- Award: Golden Honorary Ring of the City of Hof
Questions readers ask
Was Anna Lee Fisher the first woman in space?
No, but she was the first mother to fly in space, a milestone she achieved during the 1984 STS-51-A mission.
What was her primary scientific background before joining NASA?
She was a chemist with experience in X-ray crystallographic studies of metallocarboranes and a qualified emergency physician.
Achievements
- Educated at San Pedro High School and University of California, Los Angeles
- Worked as astronaut, chemist and physician
