<p>Shannon Lucid is an American astronaut and biochemist who has spent more time in space than any other American. She was born on January 14, 1943 in Shanghai, China, but was raised in Bethany, Oklahoma. Lucid graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in chemistry and later earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Oklahoma.</p><p></p><p>Lucid began her career as a researcher at NASA's Johnson Space Center, where she worked on the Skylab program, the first American space station. In 1978, she was selected as a NASA astronaut and flew her first mission in 1985 as a mission specialist on the space shuttle Discovery.</p><p></p><p>Over the course of her career, Lucid flew on six space missions, including two space shuttle missions and four long-duration missions aboard the Russian space station Mir. In 1996, Lucid set a world record for the longest stay in space by a woman, spending 188 days on the Mir. During this mission, she conducted a variety of experiments in space medicine, materials science, and biology.</p><p></p><p>In addition to her work as an astronaut, Lucid has been a strong advocate for education and has worked to inspire the next generation of scientists and explorers. She has written books for children and young adults about her experiences in space and has given numerous presentations to students and educators.</p><p></p><p>Lucid is a recipient of many awards, including the NASA Space Flight Medal and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. In 2012, she was inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame.</p><p></p><p>Shannon Lucid's dedication to space exploration and her contributions to the scientific community have made her an inspiration to many. She has spent more than 223 days in space, breaking the record for longest time spent in space by a woman and by an American astronaut. Her achievements continue to inspire current and future generations of scientists, researchers, and explorers.</p><p></p><p></p>