Ignite Change, Educate, & Inspire

IgnitedThinkers is ecstatic to partner with Felix’s Space Time to inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders with inspiring talks from aerospace industry leaders. For our second panel, we spoke with four astronauts! Panel Members: Nicole Stott (NASA Astronaut), Chris Sembroski (SpaceX Astronaut), Ron Rosano (Future Virgin Galactic Astronaut), and George Nield (Blue Origin Astronaut). You may ask the members questions by donating to St. Jude using the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/inspiring-the-next-generation.

I had the great honor and pleasure of conducting an incredibly exciting and inspiring interview with a very special space champion whom I met at the AsMA 2023 Conference, Anna Menon. Anna is an American engineer scheduled to fly on Polaris Dawn, a private space mission. Anna worked for NASA for seven years prior to joining SpaceX, where she now works as a lead engineer of space operations. As the Lead Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX, she manages the development of crew operations and serves in mission control as both a Mission Director and crew communicator. During her tenure at SpaceX, she has led the implementation of Dragon’s crew capabilities, helped create the crew communicator operator role, and developed critical operational responses to vehicle emergencies such as a fire or cabin depressurization. Anna served in mission control during multiple Dragon missions, such as Demo-2, Crew-1, CRS-22, and CRS-23. As you can see, Anna is a leading aerospace industry leader and has much passion for space technology and space exploration! I am incredibly excited to speak with Anna on her exciting journey to get to where she is today and her insights on the future of the aerospace sector. Welcome, Anna; thank you so much for taking some time to inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders. Interested in partnering/sponsoring or collaborating with IgnitedThinkers? Please e-mail ignitedthinkers@gmail.com. -- www.ignitedthinkers.org https://twitter.com/IgnitedThinkers https://twitter.com/GitikaGorthi https://www.instagram.com/ignitedthinkers/?hl=en TIME STAMPS: -------------------------- 0:00 : Introduction 1:40 : Typical Day as a Future Astronaut 3:09 : All About the Polaris Dawn Mission 5:36 : Being a Biomedical Engineer in the Aerospace Industry 9:34 : Future of Telemedicine 13:36 : Overcoming Obstacles 16:30 : How Will Space Exploration Look Like in the Next 20-30 Years? 19:30 : Things to Be Cautious of for the Future of the Aerospace Industry 21:01 : Final Piece of Advice for the Next Generation of Aerospace Leaders 24:14 : Conclusion

I had the great honor and pleasure of conducting an exciting space champion interview with Astronaut Dr. Cady Coleman! Dr. Coleman is a chemist, an engineer, a former United States Air Force colonel, and a retired NASA astronaut. She is a veteran of two Space Shuttle missions, and departed the International Space Station on May 23, 2011, as a crew member of Expedition 27 after logging 159 days in space. She has incredible experiences in the military and throughout her work at NASA, including serving as Chief of Robotics for the Astronaut Office. This interview dives deeper into Dr. Coleman’s experience going to space, conducting scientific experiments on the ISS, advancing diversity in the aerospace industry, and her journey to becoming an astronaut. Dr. Coleman is incredibly inspiring, and her journey highlights how the aerospace industry is truly for everyone! Hope you enjoy our 100th Youtube Video! Interested in partnering/sponsoring or collaborating? Please e-mail spreadingrocketrytogether@gmail.com. -- www.ignitedthinkers.org https://twitter.com/IgnitedThinkers https://twitter.com/GitikaGorthi https://www.instagram.com/ignitedthinkers/?hl=en TIME STAMPS: -------------------------- 0:00 : Introduction 1:12 : Typical Day 2:03 : Impact of Museums in Inspiring Next Generation of STEM Leaders 3:41 : Going to Space for the First Time… ALL of Dr. Coleman’s thoughts! 5:28 : Importance of Conducting Experiments on the ISS 9:46 : Did Dr. Coleman Identify a UFO in Space?? Is There Life in Space? 13:34 : Traveling to Mars…. Is it Coming? 17:38 : Question for Gitika: What Does the Artemis Mission Mean to YOU? 23:28 : “Aha” Moment for Becoming an Astronaut 28:50 : Overcoming Obstacles 30:55 : Final Piece of Advice for the Next Generation 33:10 : Conclusion

I had the great honor and pleasure of conducting an exciting space champion interview Dr. George Nield, whom I first interviewed last year! Within a year, Dr. Nield has had many exciting accomplishments and life lessons that he reveals during the interview — including his journey of becoming a Blue Origin Astronaut! For those who may not know, Dr. Nield is the president of Commercial Space Technologies, LLC, which he founded to encourage, facilitate, and promote commercial space activities. He previously served as associate administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Commercial Space Transportation and was responsible for licensing and regulating all commercial launch activities. Most recently, Dr. Nield became a commercial astronaut after flying on Blue Origin’s New Shephard! Watch Dr. George Nield’s first interview with IgnitedThinkers at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFYX7xaParU. This interview dives deeper into Dr. Nield’s passion for the aerospace industry and his experience training to become an astronaut and flying to space with Blue Origin! Interested in partnering/sponsoring or collaborating? Please e-mail spreadingrocketrytogether@gmail.com. -- www.ignitedthinkers.org https://twitter.com/IgnitedThinkers https://twitter.com/GitikaGorthi https://www.instagram.com/ignitedthinkers/?hl=en TIME STAMPS: -------------------------- 0:00 : Introduction 1:10 : First Thoughts of Being in Space (Overview effect?) 2:37 : Beauty of Earth 4:00 : Coming Back Down to Earth 5:54 : Falling in Love with Space + Getting Into Commercial Space 7:28 : Why is Commercial Space Important? 9:04 : Evolution of Commercial Space in the Future 11:30 : Training to Become an Astronaut with Crew Mates 15:20 : Astronaut Patch 16:57 : Excitement/Nervousness for the Future of the Aerospace Industry (Same question asked last year) 21:15 : Final Piece of Advice for the Next Generation 23:10 : Conclusion

I had the great honor and pleasure of conducting an incredibly exciting and inspiring interview with a very special space champion, Ms. Kelli Kedis Ogborn. Ms. Kedis Ogborn is the Vice President of Space Commerce and Entrepreneurship at Space Foundation, where she leverages her expertise to spearhead Space Commerce Institute, an initiative designed to deliver informed insight and actionable programming to help companies and individuals find their market share and grow within the burgeoning space economy. Prior to joining Space Foundation, Ms. Kedis Ogborn was President and Chief Operating Officer of Advanced Rockets Corporation, President and Chief Executive Officer of H.S. Dracones, and was contracted as the Congressional Liaison to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). In the DARPA liaison role, she provided advice to senior leadership and technical offices on Congressional engagement strategies to maintain the agency’s position and reputation as a premier science and technology organization. Ms. Kedis Ogborn is also a fellow G100 member in aerospace and aviation! As you can see, Ms. Kedis Ogborn is a visionary leader in the growing space economy, and I am so excited to speak with her today to learn about the future of the aerospace sector. Welcome, Ms. Kedis Ogborn; thank you so much for taking some time to inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders. Welcome, Ms. Kedis Ogborn; thank you so much for taking some time to inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders. Interested in partnering/sponsoring or collaborating with IgnitedThinkers? Please e-mail ignitedthinkers@gmail.com. -- www.ignitedthinkers.org https://twitter.com/IgnitedThinkers https://twitter.com/GitikaGorthi https://www.instagram.com/ignitedthinkers/?hl=en TIME STAMPS: -------------------------- 0:00 : Introduction 2:15 : Typical Day and Operations at Space Foundation 7:44 : Having A Start-Up in the Aerospace Sector 13:49 : Future Dynamics Between Commercial and Federal Space Organizations 23:08 : “Aha” Moment to Pursue Aerospace Career 31:09 : Overcoming Obstacles 37:04 : Final Piece of Advice for the Next Generation of Aerospace Leaders 40:44: Conclusion

I had the great honor and pleasure of conducting an exciting space champion interview with Bob Collom. Bob currently serves as an Integration Lead on the Mars Reconnaissance Team at NASA HQ. Bob serves as the Deputy Executive Secretary by helping manage the activities and meetings of the International Mars Exploration Working Group – a group of 28 space agencies looking to collaborate in Martian exploration Most recently, I met Bob at the Humans To Mars Summit that took place in Washington D.C. I am incredibly inspired and always in awe of Bob’s journey and work with NASA! This interview dives deeper into his passion for the aerospace industry! Interested in partnering/sponsoring or collaborating? Please e-mail spreadingrocketrytogether@gmail.com. -- www.ignitedthinkers.org https://twitter.com/IgnitedThinkers https://twitter.com/GitikaGorthi https://www.instagram.com/ignitedthinkers/?hl=en TIME STAMPS: -------------------------- 0:00 : Introduction 0:56 : Typical Day 2:37 : Collaboration Between Companies + Countries As We Travel to Mars 5:01 : Being an Integration Lead at NASA 8:30 : Favorite Memory at NASA 11:48 : “Aha” Moment for Falling in Love with Space 14:57 : Overcoming Obstacles 18:57 : How To Be Taken Seriously As a Young Professional 24:25 : Excitement/Nervousness for the Future of the Aerospace Industry 27: 59: Final Piece of Advice for the Next Generation 30:10 : Conclusion

I had the great honor and pleasure of interviewing Ms. Sylvia Acevedo, a huge inspiration and role model of mine! Ms. Acevedo is an American engineer, entrepreneur, investor, business leader, and rocket scientist. She was the CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA from 2016 to 2020. As CEO, she led the organization's largest release of badges, over 100 badges in STEM and Outdoors. Ms. Acevedo is a systems engineer by education, she began her career at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she was on the Voyager 2 team. She believes being a girl scout propelled her into who she is today. In 2018, Ms. Acevedo was included in a Forbes list of "America's Top 50 Women In Tech". Additionally, she was the Chair of President Obama’s White House Initiative for Educational Excellence for Hispanics in early childhood leadership. Currently, Ms. Acevedo serves on the Qualcomm Board of Directors. Ms. Sylvia Acevedo's Website: https://sylviaacevedo.org/ Purchase Her Book "Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist": https://sylviaacevedo.org/book/ This interview dives deeper into her journey from a Girl Scout to becoming a rocket scientist. The interview is inspirational for students across the world and is a testament that nothing is impossible. TIME STAMPS: -------------------------- 0:00 : Introduction 1:25 : Typical Day 2:46 : Authoring the Book “Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist” 5:48 : Never Had Imposter Syndrome + Advice for Others Facing Imposter Syndrome 7:02 : Parents Played A Fundamental Role in Ms. Acevedo’s Success 9:24 : Twists & Turns in Journey That Made Ms. Acevedo Who She Is Today 12:03 : Overcoming Challenges as a Female in STEM Industry 14:06 : Advice to Stay Motivated to Follow Your Dreams 15:45 : Experience Being on Voyager 2 Team at NASA 18:07 : Most Exciting and Impactful Project of Ms. Acevedo’s 20:25 : Developing Hundreds of STEM Badges for Girl Scouts 23:04 : Ms. Acevedo’s Excitement/Nervousness for the Future of the Space Industry 25:23 : Final Piece of Advice for the Next Generation 27:34 : Conclusion -- www.ignitedthinkers.org spreadingrocketrytogether@gmail.com https://twitter.com/IgnitedThinkers https://www.instagram.com/ignitedthinkers/?hl=en https://twitter.com/GitikaGorthi

I had the great honor and pleasure of conducting an incredibly exciting and inspiring interview with a very special space champion, Emily Matula. Emily is a EVA Certified Instructor and Flight Controller-in-training at Leidos, where she working on a contract with NASA Johnson Space Center for instructing crew and supporting staff about suit components, proper suit usage, and emergency procedures! Emily is a leading aerospace industry leader and has much passion for space technology and space exploration! I am incredibly excited to speak with Emily on her exciting journey to get to where she is today and her insights on the future of the aerospace sector. As you can see, Emily is a leading aerospace industry leader and has much passion for space technology and space exploration! I am incredibly excited to speak with Emily on her exciting journey to get to where she is today and her insights on the future of the aerospace sector. Welcome, Emily; thank you so much for taking some time to inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders. Interested in partnering/sponsoring or collaborating with IgnitedThinkers? Please e-mail ignitedthinkers@gmail.com. -- www.ignitedthinkers.org https://twitter.com/IgnitedThinkers https://twitter.com/GitikaGorthi https://www.instagram.com/ignitedthinkers/?hl=en TIME STAMPS: -------------------------- 0:00 : Introduction 1:27 : Typical Day + Job 12:51 : Most Important Components of Space Suit Designs 20:33 : Robotics and Space Suits 23:51 : Future Space Suits 29:32: Space Suit Emergencies in Space 36:34 : “Aha” Moment to Pursue Aerospace Career 40:18 : Overcoming Obstacles 45:46 : Final Piece of Advice for the Next Generation of Aerospace Leaders 53:58: Conclusion