Home » One of NASA’s First Six Female Astronauts Shannon Lucid Lands at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in 1996

One of NASA’s First Six Female Astronauts Shannon Lucid Lands at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in 1996

By  //  September 26, 2023

September 26, 1996

On this day in 1996, Shannon Lucid, one of NASA’s first six female astronauts, landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center after spending 179 days on Mir, a Russian space station. (NASA Image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – On this day in 1996, Shannon Lucid, one of NASA’s first six female astronauts, landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center after spending 179 days on Mir, a Russian space station.

From 1996 to 2007, Lucid held the record for the longest duration spent in space by an American and by a woman.

Upon landing at KSC, she was presented with a box of chocolate candies, a gift from President Clinton, after she had let him know she was craving them.