Dr. Mae Jemison successfully completed her astronaut training program in August 1998, becoming the fifth African American astronaut and the first African American female astronaut in NASA history. In August 1992, SPACELAB J was a successful joint U.S. and Japanese science mission, making Mae Jemison the first African American in space. Mae Jemison is outspoken about the impact of technical advanteges in the African American population, and encourges African Americans to purse careers in science and engineering.