Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space back in 1992, has been selected to lead a project to determine how human beings might be able to survive outside the solar system.  Jemison is going to be the commander of the “100 Year Starship Project,” which will actually investigate the possibilities and implications of having a multi-generational mission outside the solar system.

Jemison, who is now 55-years old, set up the 100 Year Starship Symposium last year.  She did such a wonderful job that she was given another $500,000 contract to continue her research.  The award was granted by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.  Their objective is to determine what would be needed for an interstellar space mission.

Jemison’s group, the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence, is based in Houston.   They’ve joined forces with Icarus Interstellar the Foundation for Enterprise Development.

http://www.yourblackworld.com/2012/01/13/black-women-to-lead-nasa-project-to-go-beyond-the-solar-system/

I think this is fantastic! But what I wonder do they plan to do with the research?