On This Day in History / January 13, 2023 1993: Air Force Major Susan J. Helms flies as a Mission Specialist aboard the space shuttle Endeavour (STS-54). Helms becomes the first U.S. military woman in space. In this historical photo from NASA, STS-54 Mission Specialist Greg Harbaugh (red stripe) and Mission Specialist Mario Runco, emerge from the mid-deck airlock with Helms’ assistance.