Rhea Seddon

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Margaret Rhea Seddon

Rhea Seddon practices CPR) during a Zero G flight

Margaret Rhea Seddon (born November 8, 1947) is a retired American physician and former NASA astronaut. With a career that spans over two decades at NASA, Seddon has been a pioneer for women in the fields of medicine and space exploration. Her contributions to both astronautics and medicine have made her a notable figure in the history of American space travel.

Early Life and Education

Margaret Rhea Seddon was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. From a young age, she showed a keen interest in science and space. Pursuing her passion, Seddon attended the University of Tennessee, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology. She furthered her education by obtaining a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1973.

NASA Career

In 1978, Rhea Seddon was selected as part of NASA's first group of female astronauts, a landmark selection that marked the beginning of a new era in space exploration. Throughout her career at NASA, Seddon flew on three Space Shuttle missions: STS-51-D on the shuttle Discovery in 1985, STS-40 on the shuttle Columbia in 1991, and STS-58, also on Columbia, in 1993. During these missions, she served in various capacities, including as a mission specialist and payload commander, focusing on medical experiments and research in space.

Medical Career

Before and after her tenure with NASA, Rhea Seddon's medical career was equally distinguished. She completed her surgical residency at the University of Tennessee, where she specialized in general surgery. After leaving NASA in 1997, Seddon continued to focus on medical issues related to space, including the effects of microgravity on the human body, and has been involved in health and science education.

Personal Life

Rhea Seddon is married to fellow astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson, with whom she has three children. The couple's shared experiences in space exploration have made them one of the most notable pairs in the astronaut community.

Legacy and Honors

Seddon's contributions to space exploration and medicine have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. She was inducted into the Tennessee Women's Hall of Fame and the Astronaut Hall of Fame, highlighting her pioneering role as one of NASA's first female astronauts and her contributions to space medicine.

See Also

• Women in space
• Space medicine
• NASA Astronaut Group 8