The First Edition
WOMEN’S
2024
FROM
TO
BEYOND THE STARS
EDUCATION
Women’s Aerospace Fall 2024
Brought to you by the
Women’s Aerospace Network
The First Edition
FIRST EDITION
F a l l 2 0 2 4
2024 WOMEN’S
SPACE AWARDS
COSMIC CUISINE
FROM ENTHUSIASTIC LEARNER
TO NASA LEADING FIGURE
Passion and perseverance,
from curiosity to NASA
leadership
Celebrating trailblazers
shaping the future of
aerospace
A mouthwatering look at
snacks that fuel our
astronauts
ADULT SPACE CAMP
The story of reigniting
childhood passion for space
YOU’RE TOO CUTE TO
BE AN ASTRONAUT
A theatrical tribute to a
pioneering NASA female
astronaut.
REACHING FOR
THE STARS
A journey of discovery and
ambition in aerospace
30
32
13
14
57
18
Women’s Aerospace Fall 2024
It is my pleasure to introduce the inaugural issue of the Women’s
Aerospace Magazine, a publication born out of a shared vision
for a more inclusive and supportive aerospace community.
When I first contemplated the idea of creating this magazine,
I wondered, “Would anyone else even be interested?” Your
overwhelming responses have answered that question with a
resounding, “YES”!
This magazine has become much more than a publication; it has
blossomed into a vibrant community, a robust support system,
and a powerful platform that amplifies voices and recognizes
those advancing the profession, driving innovation, and making
the future a reality. As a result, the Women’s Aerospace Network
(WAN) was born.
The aerospace industry is a realm of beauty and uniqueness, driven by passion and innovation.
The impact we have made together as a community, especially through initiatives like the
Women’s Space Awards, brings to mind Wernher von Braun’s words: “I have learned to use the
word ‘impossible’ with the greatest caution.” Our accomplishments prove that, although WAN is
a new community, we are driving positive change and making the world a better place.
The rapid growth and expansion of the Women’s Aerospace Network demonstrates that our roots
have been silently and unknowingly growing long before we officially started seven months ago.
This indicates that the world is ready for a brighter, more equitable and accessible future for all,
and we are building it together.
Thank you for being a part of the Women’s Aerospace Network. Together, we are not only
imagining the future of aerospace, but actively creating it. We look forward to the many
milestones we will achieve together, the barriers we will break, and the legacy we will build for
generations to come.
From the Founder
HOLLY PASCAL
NASA HQ Engineer & Founder,
Women’s Aerospace Network
Connect with me on LinkedIn
The First Edition
In less than a year, the Women’s Aerospace
Network has expanded rapidly, driven by
the recognition of the need for a supportive
community in and outside of Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) careers in aerospace. With a rapidly
growing community of thousands in this
short span, we’re inspired by the passionate
interest and the formation of an incredible
community. This rapid growth underscores
the evident need for such a network, and
we’re thrilled to be a global community united
by a passion for connection, community and
progress in space exploration.
Adding to our excitement as a newly
established entity, we proudly present the
inaugural issue of Women’s Aerospace
Magazine! As the first of its kind, we aim
for this publication to be the hub for all
things related to the aerospace community,
showcasing the remarkable work being
done in the field. Inside, you’ll discover
enlightening and inspiring stories ranging
from scientists and students to aerospace
speech pathologists and more. Embodying
our slogan of “Space for All,” we believe that
diversity and inclusion are crucial for the
advancement of this field.
But that’s not all—we have something
even more special to share in this issue!
We’re honored to announce the winners
of this year’s Women’s Space Awards,
highlighting remarkable women who have
- The Women’s Aerospace Network team
Our mission is to make space for all.
Established in 2024, Women’s Aerospace
Network (WAN) connects, amplifies
and inspires a universal passion for
aerospace. We welcome all who seek a
community based in a shared vision for
humanity.
“
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION
Kailey Theroux & Dr. Shellie Hipsky
COPY EDITORS /
Special thanks to Kellie Gerardi & Nancy Bullard of
Mrs. B TV for support raising awareness of the
Women's Aerospace Network.
Ali Mansab
GRAPHIC DESIGNER /
email media@womensaerospace.com
A
big
thank
you
to
the
following
organizations for their support:
shaped the aerospace industry and continue
to inspire its future. These celebrated winners
are extraordinary pillars in the field and their
communities, driving innovation and tackling
the world’s most complex challenges. It’s our
utmost honor and delight to recognize their
achievements. Congratulations to the finalists
and all those nominated!
We invite you to immerse yourself in the
world’s first Women’s Aerospace Magazine.
If you haven’t already, please connect with us
on
(www.linkedin.com/company/
womensaerospace) and join the conversation!
We’re glad you’ve found your place in space with
us.
Women’s Aerospace Fall 2024
What do you think about our first
issue? We’d love to hear from you!
Email media@womensaerospace.com or sent us a
message on Instagram or LinkedIn.
The First Edition
How One Woman is Making
Space Camp Accessible for
Students with Disabilities
By DORINA GIRBOVAN
Women’s Aerospace Fall 2024
umping off a pamper pole, experiencing
neutral buoyancy, landing a space shuttle
on Mars—just imagine a visually impaired
youth performing these challenges. Beyond
the Stars Education opens the doors to an
incredible chance for Romanian visually
impaired students to feel what an astronaut
feels for seven days in a life-changing
learning adventure.
The idea behind Beyond the Stars Education
started in 2016 when I was one of the science
teachers selected worldwide to be part of the
Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
training in the U.S. Space and Rocket Center
in Huntsville, Alabama. Two years later, I
became the HESA International Ambassador
via NASA education for the same program. In
2016, during a presentation, I saw a photo of
a student sitting on top of a pole and jumping
in thin air (harnessed, of course) during the
Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired
Students (SCIVIS) program. At the end of the
presentation, I inquired about the program
and found out that the student was visually
impaired. I was astonished, as most sighted
people would be afraid to perform that.
Moreover, they offer full scholarships for
international visually impaired students, and
none of them are Romanian. This triggered
mixed feelings in me—I was both in awe
of the idea of the program but also deeply
heartbroken at the thought of the students
in my country. Determined to change that,
I looked for Romanian visually impaired
students who had a passion for space, a good
level of English, and were open-minded to
embrace new opportunities.
A Romanian SCIVIS blind student on a pamper pole. Photo credit:
Dorina Girbovan
The First Edition
SCIVIS Romanian 2018 Team. Photo credit: Dorina Girbovan
This SCIVIS camp is a unique experience for blind and visually impaired
students from all over the world to take part in space, science and math
activities while having the latest tools for accessibility to help them explore.
In 2024, there were approximately 200 students from 32 U.S. states and
seven foreign countries. It had the largest group of international blind and
visually impaired students in the world gathered for an academic purpose,
and Romania was part of it. In their program, the students experience SCUBA
diving training in a 24-foot tank to experience neutral buoyancy, the multi-
axis trainer, climbing on the pamper pole and the climbing wall, simulating
landing on Mars and the Moon, training on space history, exposure to space
artifacts, real-life space models, and many more activities.
The start of getting the students into this program was not easy, and
came along with lots of bumps and perseverance, but in September 2017,
I arrived with my first generation of SCIVIS Romania students at the U.S.
Space and Rocket Center. I aim to help them apply for these scholarships
given by the Saint Louis Lighthouse for the Blind and to bring more
students to the space camp. The process of obtaining the scholarships
and participating in it is complex and requires a lot of funding. While the
scholarship covers everything within the United States, these students still
need to obtain passports, undergo medical checks that need translation,
Women’s Aerospace Fall 2024
acquire notary documents, visit the U.S.
Embassy in Bucharest and pay for visas—all
of which require fundraising. The results
are noticeable, as upon our return from the
space camp, parents, teachers and entities
are astonished by the positive change in
these students. Because these changes are so
visible, they want to offer continuous support.
Until this year, Romanian friends and entities
that knew the program from my advocacy
helped with the funds. However, these
scholarship funds are only able to cover
two students per year. This is how the idea
of Beyond the Stars Education came into
existence.
In October 2023, I created this Non-
Governmental
Organization
(NGO)
to
promote space education to visually impaired
students, with the goal of raising money
to offer scholarships for participation in
space camps, activities, student exchanges,
and training. Besides this, it involves a
tremendously
empowering
process
for
the students, as it includes writing essays,
obtaining medical papers, applying for
visas, making a trip to the U.S. Embassy in
Bucharest, Romania, receiving their visas
participating in the SCIVIS program.
Beyond The Stars Education Logo. Photo credit: Dorina Girbovan
In addition to participating in SCIVIS Space
Camps, the NGO also aims to help visually
impaired students from Romania in more
ways. Its latest project, “Stars in Romania,”
intends to improve the well-being of visually
impaired students. Until recently, these
students were enrolled in residential schools,
resulting in delays in various developmental
areas due to a lack of resources. This lack of
support led to limited access to university
education, employment, and independent
living opportunities. The first goal is to
improve the well-being of 150 visually
impaired students from Romania by Oct.30,
2024, through student exchanges, training,
shared best practices and access to space
camp. The second goal is to provide schools
with updated equipment, and develop a
playroom for therapy to help students
develop in different areas and improve their
well-being.
In the first generation of SCIVIS Romania,
one of the girls barely spoke English before
knowing about this opportunity. Motivated
by this chance, she learned English at a
proficiency level. At the camp, she participated
in all activities, organized groups, spoke in
front of her peers and their families, scuba
dived, used the multi-axis trainer, climbed
the pamper pole and the climbing wall, sang,
practiced her English and helped those in
need. As a result, out of all 200 students
present, she was awarded The Golden Arrow
Medal. She used what she learned in the U.S.
to apply for a Social Work undergraduate
degree in Romania, graduated, and is now
pursuing her Master of Science (MSc) degree.
In 2022, the SCIVIS Romania Team consisted
of two amazing girls who worked hard to
complete all the scholarship requirements,
and participate in the Space Camp for
Interested
Visually
Impaired
Students