Jewish-American NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, whose father is Iraqi-Israeli, is set to be the first woman, 
and the first Jew, to ever land on the lunar surface.

Jessica, we are over the moon for you!

Jessica U. Meir was selected by NASA in 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Brown University, a Master of Science in Space Studies from the International Space University, and a Doctorate in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UCSD). 

From 2000 to 2003, Dr. Meir worked for Lockheed Martin’s Human Research Facility, supporting human physiology research. 

During this time, she also participated in research flights on NASA’s reduced gravity aircraft and served as an aquanaut in an underwater habitat for NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO).  

Prior to becoming an astronaut, her career as a scientist focused on the physiology of animals in extreme environments. 

Meir most recently served as flight engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 61 and 62.