This year marks a milestone in space exploration – the 10th anniversary of the first Native American in space. Commander John B. Herrington is one of many Oklahoma heroes who helped to catapult Oklahoma into the space age.
Herrington, a Chickasaw, became the first Native American in space in Nov. 2002 during his mission aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor.
He served as the flight engineer during the mission to the International Space Station, where he logged more than 330 hours in space, of which nearly 20 hours were spent performing spacewalks.
He is one of many Oklahoma sons and daughters selected for the United States space program. Born in Wetumka, Okla., Herrington honored his heritage by carrying the Chickasaw Nation flag on his historic trip to the stars in November of 2002.
Today, Commander Herrington continues to be an inspiration to youth of all walks of life. As a motivational speaker to young people, he encourages them to pursue their education.
"What I want to promote to kids is that if there is something that you like to do, what is natural and fun, the studying is secondary," said Commander Herrington. "It happens - it makes it that much easier to study."
Herrington often credits his success in flight to another Chickasaw who broke a different kind of flight record.
Pearl Scott Carter of Marlow, Okla., was among the first women pilots and the youngest pilot in the United States with her first flight in 1929, under the tutelage of legendary aviator Wiley Post. She later worked as a stunt pilot and barnstormer until ending her career to focus on her children and family.
Pearl has been inducted into the Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame, The International Woman's Air and Space Museum Hall of Fame and is a charter member of the National Museum of American Indian at the Smithsonian.
For the Chickasaw Nation, these two dynamic Oklahoman personalities blazed trails that many have followed, and they continue to influence the tribe. Building on Oklahoma's and tribal member's success, the Chickasaw Nation has many educational programs that encourage today's youth in the aerospace industry.
The Chickasaw Nation Aviation and Space Academy was established in the summer of 2003. Using hands-on flying simulators, building rockets and a mentor-based curriculum that culminates in flying a plane, CNASA motivates students to pursue careers in science and technology.
An innovative building designed to inspire and nurture future scientists and engineers was officially opened in 2011. The 7,000-square-foot building houses the tribal robotics program and CNASA.
"The Science-Technology-Math Academy is an integral part of our effort to provide the tools and instruction which will inspire our young people to make that important connection between education and a meaningful career," said Gov. Anoatubby.
The CNASA building also provides the robotics teams and other science student programs a place to conduct meetings, research information for projects, build robots, simulate tournament play, and utilize the flight simulator.
To further inspire students and to include Chickasaw tribal members from outside the state, annually Chickasaw youths from around the nation travel to Huntsville, Ala. each year for Space Camp. Founded in 1982, Space Camp is one of the premier educational programs in the world and is located at the U.S. space and Rocket Center and the visitor center for NASA's Marshal Flight Center.
"Some of our former robotics and CNASA students are now pursuing higher education and careers in the science and aerospace fields," said Gov. Anoatubby. "Our hope is this facility will provide another tool which will help motivate more students to set lofty goals and do what it takes to reach those goals."
Oklahoma has a long history in the space and aeronautics industries, also known combined as the aerospace industry, which continues to thrive today. According to state representatives, aerospace industries are responsible for 144,000 direct or indirect jobs in the state, or about one out of 11 Oklahomans. The aerospace industry produces 10 percent of Oklahoma's total economic output, an estimated $12.5 billion and has a $5 billion payroll annually. It is among the top four industries of state. Oklahomans who work in the aerospace industry enjoy an average salary of $55,000 per year, compared to $30,000 for the average Oklahoma worker.
