Joan Higginbotham

NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham flew aboard STS-116, logging over 308 hours in space and playing a key role in International Space Station assembly and operations. 

Higginbotham began her NASA career at Kennedy Space Center, where she supported 53 shuttle launches and rose to lead orbiter project engineer for space shuttle Columbia. In that role, she worked extensively on shuttle systems integration and testing, including payload compatibility and orbiter docking systems.

In 1996, she was selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate and logged over 308 hours in space during her mission aboard space shuttle Discovery (STS-116). On that 12-day mission, she operated the Space Station Remote Manipulator System and supported major upgrades to the International Space Station’s power systems. 

Throughout her time at NASA, Higginbotham held a range of technical roles, including assignments in the Payloads & Habitability Branch, Robotics Branch, and as a CAPCOM for shuttle and station missions. She also led crew interface development for the ISS and tested station modules for functionality before launch. Higginbotham retired from NASA in 2007 to pursue opportunities in the private sector.