John Herrington

Chickasaw Nation · athletes

John Herrington (born September 14, 1958) is an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation and the first Native American to fly in space. In November 2002, he launched aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-113 to the International Space Station, where he performed three spacewalks totaling nearly 20 hours. Herrington carried the Chickasaw Nation flag and an eagle feather into orbit, honoring his heritage among the stars. A former Navy test pilot, he earned his astronaut wings at NASA's Johnson Space Center. After retiring from NASA, Herrington biked across America to promote science education in tribal communities. He is a powerful role model for Indigenous youth interested in STEM and continues to inspire through speaking engagements across Indian Country.