Kathleen Rubins

Kathleen Hallisey "Kate" Rubins (born October 14, 1978) is an American astrobiologist and NASA astronaut. She became the 60th woman to fly in space when she launched on a Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2016.

Early life and education

Rubins was born in Farmington, Connecticut, and raised in Napa, California. She developed an interest in space exploration at an early age. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology from the University of California, San Diego in 1999, and a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Stanford University in 2005.

Career

After completing her doctorate, Rubins worked with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where she conducted research on Ebola virus and Lassa virus.

In 2009, Rubins was selected by NASA as part of Astronaut Group 20. She trained for two years, becoming proficient in spacewalks, robotics, T-38 Talon flight training, and Russian language.

Spaceflight

Rubins launched to the ISS on July 7, 2016, as part of Expedition 48/49. During her mission, she became the first person to sequence DNA in space. She returned to Earth on October 30, 2016.

In 2020, Rubins launched on Expedition 63/64, becoming the first person to vote in a U.S. election from space.

Awards and honors

Rubins has received numerous awards and honors, including the NASA Space Flight Medal and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

See also

• List of female astronauts
• Women in space

External links

• NASA biography

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  ISS Expedition 48 Patch

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  ISS Expedition 49 Patch

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  ISS Expedition 63 Patch

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  ISS Expedition 64 Patch

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  First-ever sequencing of DNA in space, performed by Kate Rubins on the ISS

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  Kate Rubins in front of the 'voting booth' on ISS-64