Shannon Walker, a 1979 graduate of Johnston Middle School, is currently orbiting space aboard the International Space Station. Dr. Walker co-piloted a Russian Soyuz craft in order to get there! She is a home-grown Houstonian-the first one in space. She attended Parker Elementary, Johnston Middle, and Westbury High. After her formative education, she went on to receive three degees from the prestigious Rice University here in Houston: Bachelor in Arts-Physics, 1987, Master of Science, 1992, and Doctor of Philosophy in Space Physics, 1993.

Dr. Walker joined Nasa in 1987 as a robotics flight controller for the Space Shuttle Program. After a brief leave of absence in which she obtained her advanced degrees, Dr. Walker rejoined NASA. She held many vital positions, mainly in the areas of robotics and ISS problem solving. She then went to Moscow, Russia to work with our international partners there. She is currently a member of the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots and a vital member of our current ISS crew.