Astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger at Parklands College 3 August 2026

NASA Astronaut Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger to Inspire South Africa During National Space Tour 2026

Cape Town, South Africa — Renowned former NASA astronaut, educator, geologist, and STEAM advocate Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger will visit South Africa for the highly anticipated Space Tour 2026, taking place from 22 July to 4 August 2026 across Cape Town, Gauteng, Durban, and selected remote communities nationwide.

Presented in partnership with Living Maths, the national tour will bring world-class STEM inspiration directly to schools, universities, science centres, educators, and communities across South Africa, including underserved and remote areas where learners often have limited access to global science and technology role models.

Metcalf-Lindenburger, a veteran NASA astronaut and former science teacher, flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on the historic STS-131 mission to the International Space Station in 2010. During the mission, she served as Mission Specialist 2, robotic arm operator, and the intra-vehicular coordinator supporting complex spacewalk operations. The mission delivered more than 27,000 pounds of scientific equipment, hardware, and supplies to the ISS and traveled over 6.2 million miles during 238 Earth orbits.

She was also part of a historic milestone in human spaceflight when four women were simultaneously in space for the first time in history.

Prior to becoming an astronaut, Metcalf-Lindenburger taught earth science and astronomy at Hudson’s Bay High School in Washington State and coached Science Olympiad and cross-country athletics. In 2004, she was selected by NASA as part of the Educator Astronaut Program, becoming the first Space Camp alumna to join the Astronaut Corps.

Following her NASA spaceflight career, she commanded the NEEMO 16 underwater exploration mission aboard the Aquarius underwater laboratory, helping develop techniques for future asteroid exploration missions. Today, she continues to champion STEAM education globally as a professional speaker and founder of Dottie ML, LLC.

Steve Sherman, Chief Imagination Officer of Living Maths, said the 2026 tour represents far more than a traditional speaker series.

“This tour is about possibility,” said Sherman. “When young people in South Africa meet someone who has literally travelled beyond Earth, it changes the way they think about themselves and their futures. We want learners in every community — especially those in remote and underserved areas — to realise that science, technology, engineering and mathematics are not distant dreams reserved for other countries or other people. These opportunities belong to them too.”

Sherman added that one of the primary goals of the national tour is to create meaningful STEM engagement beyond major metropolitan centres.

“Too often, world-class educational experiences are concentrated in large cities. Through this national tour, we aim to reach communities that are frequently overlooked and bring genuine STEM inspiration directly to them. Curiosity is universal, talent is universal, but opportunity is not always universal — and this tour is designed to help bridge that gap.”

Metcalf-Lindenburger said she is excited to connect with South African learners, educators, and future innovators.

“Science and exploration thrive when young people are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, and imagine boldly,” she said. “I’m honoured to visit South Africa and share experiences from space exploration, teamwork, leadership, and discovery with audiences across the country.”

The Space Tour 2026 will feature keynote talks, student engagements, educator sessions, leadership discussions, and public appearances focused on science, innovation, resilience, teamwork, and the future of human exploration.

Further announcements regarding venues, ticketing, school participation opportunities, and event schedules will be released in the coming months.

Tour Dates: 22 July – 4 August 2026

Locations: Cape Town, Gauteng, Durban, and selected national outreach locations