Tripadvisor has listed its first review of space, written by Dr. Sian “Leo” Proctor, an astronaut and trailblazer. Dr. Procter was the first African American woman to pilot a spaceship, paint in space, and serve as a commercial astronaut. The digital site, built in collaboration with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), includes Dr. Proctor’s humorous (yet accurate) reviews of space in her own words, videos, photos, and more.
It also contains Tripadvisor’s familiar “bubble ratings” for ambiance, location, sleep quality, and other factors. For those who prefer to stay earthside but want a taste of galactic travel, the site features space-inspired itineraries, links to interactive educational programs via NASA, and more.
Dr. Proctor’s Pioneering Space Missions
Dr. Proctor’s space career reached a historic milestone on September 15, 2021. At this time, she became the pilot of the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission, the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight. This mission marked her as the first African American woman to pilot a spacecraft. Furthermore, her role in the Inspiration4 mission extended beyond piloting. She also became the first African American astronaut to create art in space. Her paintings capture the unique perspective of Earth from orbit.
Beyond her scientific endeavors, Dr. Proctor is a celebrated Afrofuturist artist. Her artworks combine real-world concepts with future-driven themes and technology. They aim to foster conversations about the representation of women of color in the space industry. Dr. Proctor has participated in multiple simulated galactic missions as an analog astronaut. These include the NASA-funded, four-month Mars mission at the Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) Habitat.
Such experiences have prepared her for actual missions and highlight the importance of solving space-related challenges to address issues on Earth. Her TEDx talk, “Eat Like a Martian,” and the publication of the “Meals for Mars Cookbook” showcase her advocacy for sustainable food practices.
