St. Paul Woman in Space

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, the first Minnesotan woman in space, is set to fly her second mission to the International Space Station. On November 14, the St. Paul native will form part of the crew of Endeavor heading to the ISS on the 15-day STS-126 mission.

The mission's aim is to expand the International Space Station's living quarters and double the number of crew members, and involves several space walks. Stefanyshyn-Piper is the second most experienced NASA female space walker, and is scheduled to perform three further spacewalks to install and repair components.

Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper was born and graduated from Derham Hall High School, St. Paul, and her mom still lives here in the Twin Cities. She remembers St. Paul and her school fondly in her pre-flight interview, and like a true Minnesotan, talks at length about the weather and the Minnesotan winter.

• NASA's STS-126 Mission Information page