Melanie Blanchard (b 1951) was an American physician who travelled to Home aboard the Admiral Peary. Glen Johnson and Mickey Flynn were attracted to her. She remained aboard the vessel after Sam Yeager and his diplomatic mission travelled to Sitneff but eventually joined them before prolonged exposure to zero gravity left her permanently unable to enter a gravitational field. She cared for Kassquit when the latter woman became pregnant with Julia Yendys. She returned to Earth aboard the Commodore Perry but only after informing Lieutenant General Chesneau that she would not do so if Sam Yeager were not allowed to make the trip himself.