http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

February 2022

Nicole Aunapu Mann

(Col, U.S. Marine Corps) NASA Astronaut

Summary:

Nicole Aunapu Mann was selected by NASA in June 2013. She is currently training for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission, 

the fifth rotational mission to the International Space Station aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.

The California native holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Mechanical 

Engineering. Mann is a Colonel in the Marine Corps and served as a test pilot in the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet. 

She deployed twice aboard aircraft carriers in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Personal Data:

She was born in Petaluma, California and married Travis R. Mann. They are proud parents of a son and live in Houston, 

TX.

Education:

Graduated from Rancho Cotate High School, Rohnert Park, California, in 1995. Earned a Bachelor of Science in 

Mechanical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, in 1999. Earned a Master of 

Science in Mechanical Engineering with a specialty in Fluid Mechanics from Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, in 

2001.

Experience:

Mann was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1999. Following graduate school, 

she completed The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia and reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, 

for flight training in 2001. She earned her wings of gold as a Naval Aviator in 2003 and reported to VFA-106 for training 

in the F/A-18C. She began her operational flying career in 2004 with the Thunderbolts of VMFA-251 based from 

Beaufort, South Carolina. During this assignment, she deployed twice with CVW-1 aboard the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) 

and flew combat missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Upon return from her second 

deployment, Mann reported to the United States Naval Test Pilot School, Class 135, at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. In 

June 2009, she reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron TWO THREE (VX-23) as an F/A-18 Test Pilot/Project Officer. 

While at VX-23, Mann executed a variety of flight test, including loads envelope expansion, flying qualities, carrier 

suitability and ordnance separation in the F/A-18A-F. In the spring of 2011, Mann assumed duties as the VX-23 

Operations Officer. In July 2012, Major Mann was assigned to PMA-281 as the Joint Mission Planning System -

Expeditionary (JMPS-E) Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead when selected as an astronaut candidate. She has 

accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours in 25 types of aircraft, 200 carrier arrestments and 47 combat missions in Iraq 

and Afghanistan.
http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies

Nicole Aunapu Mann

NASA Experience:

Mann was selected in June 2013 as one of eight members of the 21st NASA astronaut class. Her Astronaut Candidate 

Training included intensive instruction in International Space Station systems, Spacewalks, Russian language training, 

robotics, physiological training, T-38 flight training, and water and wilderness survival training. She completed Astronaut 

Candidate training in July 2015. She has served as the T-38 Safety and Training Officer and most recently completed a 

tour as the Assistant to the Chief for Exploration. She led the astronaut corps in the development of the Orion 

spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS), and Exploration Ground Systems (EGS). She is currently training for NASA’s 

SpaceX Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station as part of the Commercial Crew Program.

Awards/Honors:

Awarded two Air Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement 

Medals and various unit commendations. Trident Scholar, Academic All-American (soccer), Distinguished Graduate - U.S. 

Naval Academy, Honor Graduate - U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Class 135, Leroy Grumman “Best Paper” Award - East 

Coast Society of Experimental Test Pilots Symposium, NASA 2015 Stephen D. Thorne Safety Award, 2017 Jerry Yeagley 

Award for Exceptional Personal Achievement and was inducted into the Academic All-American Hall of Fame.

Organizations: 

Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Tailhook Association, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Alumni Association, United States 

Naval Academy Alumni Association.