Nicole Aunapu Mann recently blasted into the record books as the first Native American woman in space. She is the commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission. Mann and three other astronauts launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on October 5. They docked at the International Space Station 29 hours later.

Since then, Mann and her team have been conducting more than 200 scientific investigations on board the floating laboratory. They are set to return to Earth in March.

Mann is a member of the Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes in California. She took along a special symbol of her Native American heritage: a dream catcher from her mom. The traditional webbed hoop is thought to offer protection.

The astronaut’s historic achievement comes 20 years after John Herrington became the first Native American man in space. Mann says she hopes to “inspire young Native American children to follow their dreams.”