Member Spotlight: Tricia Mack by Danielle Kuznetsov “I think I can!” During this time when life is weighing us down, we have a woman in our midst who is sending people up to the stars. Literally. Tricia Mack is a funny, highly intelligent, dynamic, pioneer, get it done lady who in her role as NASA’s Human Space Flight Program - Russia Director, is bridging the cultural divide between countries through connection in space. We thought everyone in AWO would enjoy meeting her and hearing what she has been up to during the COVID isolation. D: Thank you for taking time, Tricia, after your trip to let AWO members get to know you. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? T: My name is Tricia Mack. I decided I want to be an astronaut in the 8th grade. It all started in my Earth Science class. Each week I would come home completely excited about the topics we were discussing: deep sea life, volcanoes, etc. When the topic of space came up and I saw the iconic photo of Bruce McCandless in a space suit doing a space walk attached to a jetpack but not tethered to the space shuttle, I came home and announced to my parents that this is what I want to do with my life. I am fortunate to know that this is exactly where I am supposed to be.
12 May 2020
I went to the University of Michigan and enrolled in the Aerospace Engineering Program. While there, I applied to the NASA co-operative education (“co-op”) program through the school and did not get in. I decided that I would apply directly to the Johnson Space Center, NASA in Houston. My professor doubted I could apply and get in this way, but I told him “I THINK I CAN!” I was 19 years old and not going to take no for an answer. Where there is a will, there is a way. I sent in my application and called to check the status a week later. I was told that NASA made me an offer. I will always remember saying ‘You made me the happiest girl in the whole world!’ That was 28 years ago.
