“Nichelle’s mission is NASA’s mission. Today, as we work to send the first woman and first person of color to the Moon under Artemis, NASA is guided by the legacy of Nichelle Nichols.” — NASA Adminstrator Bill Nelson.

Nichelle Nichols, who passed away on July 30, 2022, was nothing short of extraordinary. With her unprecedented, ground-breaking role of Uhura in the original Star Trek series and films, she changed television, the world and also space exploration.

As Martin Luther King Jr. himself told her, for the first time, black people were seen as intelligent, beautiful people who could do anything, even go to space.

In the 1970s, NASA enlisted her to help them to hire women and minorities. For the next 40 years, she was perhaps NASA’s biggest civil advocate. With her help, the agency hired not only its first female and black astronauts, but also people who would become administrators, the highest-ranking NASA position.

Mae Jemison, the first black woman to go to space, became interested in science because of Uhura. During her space shuttle mission, she would begin communications with “hailing frequencies open”, a nod to the character. Legendary actress Whoopi Goldberg was inspired by Nichols to go into her career. Countless others on arts and sciences were inspired by her.

Her work with NASA was documented in the 2019 film Woman in Motion. Last year, when she retired from the public, NASA made a short video thanking her.

Nichelle Nichols was the person that best represented the Star Trek ideals of hope, peace and equality. She helped us to strive for a better future. She inspired generations to reach for the stars. When Artemis lands the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, it will be a direct legacy of her life’s work.

We ask that NASA consider naming something in Artemis program after her or her character Uhura.