T-Minus Space Daily: The First Indigenous American in Space

Podcast: T-Minus Space Daily (N2K Networks)
Episode Date: October 13, 2025
Host: Maria Varmazes
Guest: John Harrington (Retired NASA Astronaut, Chickasaw Nation)

Episode Overview

Timed with Indigenous Peoples Day, this episode spotlights the inspiring story of John Harrington, the first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to travel to space. The conversation explores Harrington’s unconventional path—marked by setbacks and successes—his perspectives from space, and his deep commitment to mentoring the next generation, particularly Indigenous youth in STEM.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. John Harrington’s Early Life and Education

• Unexpected Beginnings
  • Harrington explains how an early love for the outdoors and rock climbing initially distracted him from academics.

    “I found more interest in rock climbing than I did in sitting in class. I, I didn't have the motivation to do it.”
    — John Harrington [03:00]

  • After being suspended from college due to poor performance, he worked on a survey crew in Colorado, which reignited his interest in math and engineering.

    “It's the first time in my life where I saw math in practice... Math was on a highway hanging off of a cliff, working with guys who used these really unique instruments that would measure distances using a beam of light.”
    — John Harrington [04:46]

• The Turnaround
  • Mentorship was key: a survey crew boss encouraged him to return to school, where Harrington flourished with renewed purpose, emphasizing the role of collaborative learning and support from peers.

2. Military and NASA Careers

• Navy Experience
  • Harrington’s journey took a pivotal turn thanks to a retired Navy captain he tutored in calculus, who encouraged him to join the Navy.

    “He encouraged me to join the Navy. I did that in 1983.”
    — John Harrington [06:13]

• Becoming an Astronaut
  • His distinguished service in the Navy later paved the way to NASA, where he was selected as a mission specialist and flew on STS-113 to the International Space Station in 2002.

3. Cross-Cultural Experiences in Space

• Perspective Shift
  • Harrington details how being an aviator during the Cold War, taught to see Russians as adversaries, contrasted sharply with his NASA experience, training and flying with Russian cosmonauts.

    "By the time I became an astronaut, I was working with Russians... I'm working with the people that my entire professional career as an aviator I was told to fear... And the reality is they're not."
    — John Harrington [07:18]

  • Emphasizes the unity and collaboration among astronauts and cosmonauts independent of political tensions.

4. Mentorship and Outreach to Indigenous Youth

• Becoming a Role Model

  • As the first Native American astronaut, Harrington found himself an unexpected role model.

    "I was a role model to kids that never had one before."
    — John Harrington [11:27]

• Speaking and STEM Advocacy

  • Recounts his first major talk at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES):

    "It was an incredible experience where I got really deeply involved... promoting STEM education and... how did I overcome some challenges and, you know, who helped me along the way?"
    — John Harrington [11:53]

  • Highlights his cross-country bicycle ride to visit reservations and schools, blogging every day and including math or science problems to engage students.

• Impactful Encounters

  • Shares a moving story about a young Navajo girl who, inspired by meeting him, became a civil engineer—a testament to the impact of visibility and mentorship.

    “She said, ‘I didn’t realize I could be an engineer until I met you.’”
    — John Harrington [13:38]

5. Seeing the World from New Perspectives

• Unique Experiences
  • Harrington describes seeing Earth from three perspectives: space, underwater (NASA’s NEEMO habitat), and from a bicycle during his cross-country ride.

    “I saw the world from three different beautiful perspectives. The macro perspective of seeing it [from]... out of the atmosphere—overview effect. [...] I met people... just wanted to just shoot the breeze... pedaling through 100 degree temperatures.”
    — John Harrington [14:57]

  • Expresses deep appreciation for Earth's beauty and the value of these diverse experiences.

6. Advice for Listeners and Industry Mentors

• Pursue Passions and Pay It Forward
  • Harrington underscores the importance of passion and sharing it with the next generation:

    “If you love something and you love it with a passion, you love the job you do, share that passion with kids that may not... understand what you do.”
    — John Harrington [17:10]

  • Encourages making connections and learning directly from those in your desired field.
• On Resilience
  • Speaks candidly about life’s challenges—academic setbacks, divorce, loss—and emphasizes gratitude, persistence, and surrounding oneself with supportive influences.

    “Everybody has challenges in their life, right? ... How do you overcome those and move on and make the most of your life?”
    — John Harrington [18:04]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “I was a role model to kids that never had one before.”
  — John Harrington [11:27]

• “It's the first time in my life where I saw math in practice... math was on a highway hanging off of a cliff.”
  — John Harrington [04:46]

• “By the time I became an astronaut, I was working with Russians. I was living in Russia. ... The reality is they're not [the enemy]. ... Our job was to work together.”
  — John Harrington [07:18]

• “I saw the world from three different beautiful perspectives... I will appreciate every one of those for the rest of my life.”
  — John Harrington [14:57]

• “If you love something and you love it with a passion... share that passion... If there's something you want to do, go meet somebody doing it and talk to them.”
  — John Harrington [17:10]

Notable Segments with Timestamps

• 02:03 – [John Harrington introduces himself as a proud Chickasaw astronaut]
• 03:00 – [Harrington discusses academic struggles and rock climbing detour]
• 04:46 – [Seeing math in the real world; inspiration to return to school]
• 06:13 – [Joining the Navy via mentorship]
• 07:18 – [Cold War pilot to international collaboration with Russian cosmonauts]
• 11:27 – [On becoming a role model and addressing Indigenous youth]
• 14:57 – [Describing the “overview effect” and seeing Earth from space, underwater, and the road]
• 17:10 – [Key advice for mentors and aspiring professionals]
• 18:04 – [Life’s challenges and the importance of gratitude and resilience]

Tone and Takeaways

The tone is candid, humble, and deeply motivational. Harrington’s authenticity about his setbacks, personal growth, and the serendipity guiding his career journey makes the conversation resonate beyond space exploration. The episode imparts lessons on the value of mentorship, the significance of diverse representation in STEM, and the urgency (and joy) of sharing hard-won experiences with future generations.

Ideal For: Listeners interested in space history, Indigenous achievement in STEM, mentorship, or personal resilience, and anyone eager for practical wisdom from a truly unique American perspective.