- Nicole Stott
- Astronaut
My name is Nicole Stott. I grew up on the west coast of Florida, with a family that enjoyed having fun together and a dad who built and flew airplanes and shared his passion for flying with us. His enthusiasm definitely had a positive influence on my life. After high school I earned my pilots license before going on to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach where I earned a bachelors degree in aeronautical engineering and later a masters degree in engineering management from the University of Central Florida. I enjoy flying, SCUBA diving, gardening, woodworking, and especially enjoy spending time with my husband, our 3 year–old son, and our two dogs.
I’ve had an exciting career with NASA working in both Space Shuttle and ISS Operations at Kennedy Space Center, and later at the Johnson Space Center as a flight engineer on the Shuttle Training Aircraft. In July of 2000, I had the thrill of being selected as a mission specialist astronaut in the 18th class of astronauts. I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to work up close with amazing space flight hardware and with some equally amazing people. It is a real blessing to have the family, friends, and job of my dreams.
I am really excited to be a part of the NEEMO 9 crew. Until now my SCUBA diving experience has been purely recreational or in support of EVA (space walk) training at the Neutral Buoyancy Lab in Houston. I’m really looking forward to the challenges (and definitely the fun!!) of living and working under water both in and out of the Aquarius habitat, and for the opportunity to contribute to the success of our crew’s mission in support of the NASA goals for the future exploration of the Moon and Mars. I am confident that this mission under the beautiful water off Florida’s east coast will be excellent preparation for a future mission to space.
