A Fairport graduate has come back down to Earth, but she’s still flying high after making history in space.
Sian Proctor was part of the first all-civilian space crew. And, perhaps more importantly, she fulfilled a lifelong dream.
“When I looked up as a kid and saw the stars, I was just fascinated with the idea of what it’s like out there, what does it feel like to be weightless in gravity?” she said.
The girl who grew up wanting to fly, instead became a geoscientist. But she never lost her dream. At 51, Proctor got the chance to join the SpaceX crew through a contest, selected from among 200 entrepreneurs.
“The only concern I ever had was being Black, female, an older female,” she said. “I just wanted to make sure that I got it right, because I am opening the door for those to follow, and I want to be a good role model. So, I didn’t want to mess that up in any way.”
The mission went off without a hitch, better than maybe even Proctor dared to dream. She had no fear, but plenty of awe.
She’s now sharing some of space’s stunning views in her art. She painted and drew in space, artwork that she hopes one day will be in a museum, remembering the woman who dared to think she could.
“Keep pursuing your dreams,” she said. "Keep learning. Keep going out there and having adventures, because you never know what opportunities might come your way.”