Shannon Walker becomes first native Houstonian to command International Space Station Dylan Connell, Chelsey Ballarte, Johnson Space Center Published: Updated: Tags: Shannon Walker to become first native Houstonian to command International Space Station (NASA) HOUSTON – For the first time in history, a native Houstonian has taken command of the International Space Station. Veteran Shannon Walker accepted command of the space station on Thursday in a ceremony that began at 2:45 p.m. CDT. Walker is a veteran astronaut who was not only born and raised in the Bayou City but also earned all three of her science degrees here. Walker went to Westbury High School, Meyerland Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, and later Johnston Middle School, and Parker Elementary. She graduated with a bachelor of arts in physics from Rice University in 1987 and went back to complete her master of science in 1992 and received a Ph.D. in space physics in 1993.