Get inspired by our hometown hero, NASA Astronaut, and the first Native American woman in space, Nicole Mann as she shares her groundbreaking journey to reach the stars. Nicole was born in Petaluma, California, and went to Rancho Cotate High School in Rohnert Park. Mann is Native American and registered with the Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes. Nicole Aunapu Mann was selected by NASA in June 2013. She launched to the International Space Station as commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on October 5, 2022. The Crew-5 members lived and worked aboard the station since their docking Oct. 6, 2022. During its mission, the crew contributed to hundreds of experiments and technology demonstrations, including cardiovascular health, bioprinting, and fluid behavior in microgravity to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit life on Earth. After splashing down safely in their Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, March 11, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 completed the agency’s fifth?commercial crew rotation mission to the International Space Station. The international crew of four spent 157 days in orbit. Mann conducted two spacewalks totaling 14 hours, 02 minutes. Presented by The Press Democrat, Summit State Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Oliver’s Market, and Healdsburg Lumber Company