The Resume

(January 14, 1943- )
Born in Shanghai, China
Birth name was Shannon Wells
Biochemist and astronaut
Flew five space missions (1985-96)
Best know for spending 188 days on the Russian Mir space station (March 22-September 26, 1996)
NASA Chief Scientist (2002-03)

Why she might be annoying:

Russian space official General Yuri Glaskov said her presence would improve Mir's appearance because 'women love to clean.'
She compared staying on Mir to 'living in a camper in the back of your pickup with your kids when it's raining and no one can get out.'
She said the Russian food was 'pretty good,' but she had a craving for M&Ms and potato chips.
She was not supposed to set any endurance records, but her return to Earth was delayed six weeks, first by a problem with a shuttle booster rocket, then by a hurricane.
Her response to the delay: 'Oh no, not another month and a half of treadmill running.'

Why she might not be annoying:

When she was an infant, she and her missionary parents were captured and imprisoned by the Japanese, before being released in a POW exchange.
She diplomatically responded to General Glaskov's comments by noting that all three crew members worked together to maintain order on Mir.
She set records (since broken) for longest time in space by an American and by a woman.
She surprised NASA scientists by being able to walk (if a bit wobbily) upon her return to Earth.
Fellow astronaut Ellen Baker said, 'She is probably the most positive and optimistic person I know, who basically thinks nothing is impossible and has really proven that in her life.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 20th Century Scientists
• 21st Century Scientists
• Astronauts
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 54]
• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [January] (Ranked: 1141943)
• Glamour Women of the Year - 7th Annual [1996]
• I Attended University of Oklahoma
• I Earned a Doctorate
• Look at Me, I Read the News Today
• Look at Me, I'm Wearing Headphones
• People Magazine's 25 Most Intriguing People [1996]
• Profiles 35501-35750 (Ranked: 35663)
• Scientists

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 22.22% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 28 Votes: 50.0% Annoying