Karen L. Nyberg is a NASA astronaut and mechanical engineer. She became the 50th woman in space during her first mission in 2008 and lived in the International Space Station for six months.

She was selected by NASA in 2000 and she holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of North Dakota; a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering also from the University of Texas at Austin.

She began as a Co‐op in 1991 and worked for NASA in a variety of areas, and holds a patent for work done on Robot Friendly Probe and Socket Assembly. Nyberg has served on two spaceflights, STS‐124 and Expedition 36/37, and has accumulated 180 days in space. She has since served in the Space Shuttle branch, the Exploration branch, and as Chief of the Robotics branch.

Dr. Nyberg has accumulated 180 days in space over the course of the two missions.

She has accumulated many honors and awards, including the University of Texas Distinguished Alumnus Award, NASA JSC Cooperative Education Special Achievement Award, the University of Texas Outstanding Young Engineering Graduate Award, a University of North Dakota Honorary Doctorate of Letters and many more.

Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Empowerment, Female Leadership, Space, NASA, Astronaut, Technology, Influential Women, Science, Science and Technology Professionals,