Aerospace Edition by The Work Gap Solution by SmartMomGig.com

THE

SPRING 2023

Work Gap Solution MAGAZINE

SPECIAL EDITION

WOMEN IN AEROSPACE INTERVIEW

LUCY HOWLETT & STAR HARBOR ACADEMY

CATALYST OF CHANGE

SHELLI BRUNSWICK

LASER FOCUS ON WOMEN

2023 SPACE SYMPOSIUM COLORADO SPRINGS

EDITOR'S LETTER

I remember exactly where I was and how I felt when the Challenger spacecraft exploded. I can still hear the wheels of the TV cart as they rolled it into the classroom. This was going to be a special day. It was indeed, memorable, but not for the reasons i had anticipated. From then on... I was hooked. A few years back, I gave my family the gift of "Breakfast with an Astronaut" at NASA, TX. I was beyond excited and enthralled to hear the tales of space. How was I to know the best coincidence of my life was about to happen? We left breakfast only to find the longest lines ever for the tour. I was heartbroken. Just then, a gentleman softly said, "I will give you a personal tour, follow me". It was Jeri Brown, who had previously run the Command Center. The next two hours were a whirl-wind of funny antidotes and colorful commentary about his interactions with many astronauts, including Neil Armstrong, Alan Shepard, and John Glenn. My intention was to pass on the "space bug" to my children. Now, five years later, this Special Edition of our Work Gap Solution Magazine is published with the same intent, on a broader scale. Working with the Space-related companies is one thing... seeing how multiple industries and countries work together to explore something bigger than us is worthy of acknowledgement by every person on Earth.

t t o l l e W n w a D MAGAZINE EDITOR

Astronaut Brian Duffy and the Wellott Family, December 2018

TABLE Carina Nebula - James Webb Telescope, NASA

EDITOR'S LETTER

CATALYST OF CHANGE: SHELLI BRUNSWICK

AN INTERVIEW WITH STAR HARBOR ACADEMY'S LUCY HOWLETT

32 10 AMAZING BUT TRUE FACTS ABOUT AEROSPACE

SPACE SYMPOSIUM PICTORAL MONTAGE

LASER FOCUS ON: WOMEN IN AEROSPACE

HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AEROSPACE

“We believe the minds and technologies that solve our challenges in space will help to solve many of our most pressing challenges on Earth." -Maraia Tanner, CEO

LUCY

HOWLETT Tell Us About You As of today, I am Learning and Grants Manager, but I am soon to be a Director of Education and Grants, sometime in the near future. My main focus is securing funding through grants and establishing pathways for workforce development for Star Harbor Education Foundation. My other duties include writing a training curriculum that involves commercial spaceflight.

Space Symposium Thoughts What are two or three highlights, from Space Symposium, from your perspective? A couple of highlights were Networking opportunities and being able to meet with other partners in the industry face-to-face and solidify working relationships. Although, It was interesting how education and workforce development was off-site, which is counterintuitive. I heard from many companies that they struggle to find more skilled workers, and more focus should have been placed on these two parts. 5

Why is Star Harbor Special? Why Star Harbor Academy? What we are doing is just incredible, from establishing a new medical practice for commercial space flights, to building a comprehensive space environment campus to train commercial astronauts, and everything in between. Maraia took a chance by hiring me, as a person with no direct working background in the industry. I appreciate that she practices what she preaches, to be more inclusive.

How has the industry changed, regarding DEI? I don’t have direct experience, but I heard from plenty of my colleagues and symposium attendees how different it is walking on the floor at Broadmoor with women and people of color. But, in my opinion, we still have a long way to go. What I saw was sea of dark suits, with a primarily white male population. I know the diversity has been slowly increasing, but we still have a lot of room to grow. It is an exciting time, because I can be in that wave of change.

Continued on Page 28

It belongs to us alL

12 Galaxy ESO 137-001 - Hubble Telescope, NASA

highlights of women in aerospace 1903: Hertha Ayrton, a British engineer and physicist, conducted groundbreaking research on electric arcs. Her work led to improvements in electric lighting and the development of the “Ayrton fan,” which was used in World War I to disperse poison gas. 1912: Harriet Quimby, an American aviator, became the first woman to earn a pilot’s license I the United States She was also the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel in 1912. 1930: Amelia Earhart, a pioneering American aviator, set a world altitude record for female pilots by flying at an altitude of 18,415 feet. Earhart went on to achieve numerous aviation feats, including becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. 1963: Valentina Tereshkova, a Soviet cosmonaut, made history by becoming the first woman to travel to space. On June 16, 1963, she orbited the Earth aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft. 1983: Sally Ride, an American astronaut, became the First American Woman to Travel to Space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Her flight on June 18, 1983, paved the way for future female astronauts. 1995: Eileen Collins became the First Female Space Shuttle Pilot. She piloted the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-63, which took place in February, 1995.

1999: The Women of STS-88 assembled the first modules of the International Space Station. The space shuttle mission STS-88 brought together the first two components of the International Space Station (ISS). The crew included female astronauts Nancy Currie and Nancy J. Sherlock, who played vital roles in the assembly of the ISS. 2008: Peggy Whitson, NASA astronaut, set a record for the Most Cumulative Time Spent in Space by a Woman. Over the course of her career, Whitson spent a total of 665 days in space, including multiple long-duration missions on the International Space Station. 2012: In May 2012, SpaceX made history by launching its Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. Among its cargo was the first female private spaceflight participant, Anousheh Ansari, an Iraian-American engineer and entrepreneur. 2019: Christina Koch, NASA astronaut, set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. She spent a total of 328 days aboard the International Space Station, contributing to scientific research and paving the way for future longduration missions. Continued on Page 34

CATALYST OF CHANGE

SHELLI BRUNSWICK 16

SPACE IS OPEN AND AVAILABLE TO ALL.

Shelli Brunswick, the Chief Operating Officer of Space Foundation, G100 Global Chair of Space Technology & Aviation, and a member of the Forbes Technology Council, is a visionary leader and a catalyst of change in the aerospace industry. With her remarkable ability to connect people and foster collaboration on a global scale, Shelli has been instrumental in driving innovation, promoting inclusion, and making space more accessible to a diverse range of individuals.

From her distinguished career as a space acquisition and program management leader and congressional liaison for the U.S. Air Force, to her current role overseeing Space Foundation's three primary divisions: Center for Innovation and Education, Symposium 365, and Global Alliance, Shelli's ability to embrace opportunities has served her well, enhancing and advancing her career and bringing her to where she is, today. Each new opportunity was embraced and she's given them her all. Shelli has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and bringing together diverse stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities. Her work to champion the inclusion of underserved groups stems from staying true to the values instilled while she was in the military: a passion to share her journey, give back to the space community, and contribute to the development of the next-generation's workforce. 17

As the Chief Operating Officer of Space Foundation, she has built strong partnerships with governments, businesses, and academia, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise to propel the space industry forward. Space Foundation is a nonprofit advocate organization founded in 1983, offering a gateway to information, education, and collaboration for space exploration and Earth-to-Space industries that define the global space ecosystem.

Under Shelli’s leadership, Space Foundation has achieved remarkable milestones and made significant contributions to the advancement of space technology. The organization has played a pivotal role in inspiring the next generation of space professionals through its educational programs and initiatives. By organizing events, workshops, and training programs, Space Foundation has created a platform for aspiring space enthusiasts to learn, engage and develop the skills necessary for a career in the industry. Moreover, Brunswick has been a staunch advocate for inclusion and diversity in the space sector. Recognizing the importance of creating a welcoming and equitable industry, she has championed initiatives to promote underrepresented groups’ participation in space-related fields. Through targeted programs and partnerships, she has worked towards eliminating barriers to entry and fostering an inclusive culture that embraces individuals from all backgrounds, ensuring that space is accessible to everyone. 19

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"As the space industry continues to evolve into this more commercialized industry – from mainly government, 60 years ago, to where it is, today - you’re going to see a more diverse workforce, that’s not only American but also different regions of the world, different genders, different ethnicities, different ages. We have a multi-generational workforce, now. We have individuals in their 60s and we have a new generation coming in, as well, so it’s really an exciting time to be part of this industry, as you’re seeing the dynamics of it, that change, and grow, and evolve. The global space economy in 2022 was $469 billion dollars. Of that, 77% was commercial. So you’re seeing a commercialization of that industry, and that commercialization is leading to a diversity of backgrounds and skills - yes, we still need STEM professionals, but we also need business majors, program managers, policy makers, lawyers, and artists. I’m not a STEM professional. I have a business degree. My undergraduate was business and I have an MBA. So, you’re seeing the diversity taking place, now, as it’s become commercial, for a diversity of skills, and that also opens the aperture for diversity of the workforce, for everyone." Shelli’s efforts align with the broader vision of an open and accessible space industry, where opportunities are available to individuals in various capacities. She firmly believes that space is not limited to astronauts and engineers, alone, but offers diverse career paths spanning technology, communications, research,

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW,

OR WHO YOU KNOW - ITʼS BOTH.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ADVOCACY and PUBLIC POLICY

BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT

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entrepreneurship, and more. By promoting awareness and showcasing the multitude of opportunities available, she aims to inspire individuals from all walks of life to engage with and contribute to the space industry. "As you see more commercialization of the space industry, that’s where I think you’re seeing a lot more of the diversity of ages and backgrounds and regions

and genders, because, now, space is open to all of us. Space is open for business, and business is open to everyone. That means whether you’re a farmer in Africa that’s using space technology to help manage your crop fields, by using Earth observation data, or a researcher looking at solving cancer or osteoporosis, space is now part of everyday life. And that now makes it open as a career field, for everyone – high school graduate, to PhD. By opening that aperture, you open up the opportunities for more diversity. AND we still need STEM professionals." Her work to champion the inclusion of underserved groups stems from staying true to the values instilled while she was in the military: a passion to share her journey, give back to the space community, and contribute to the development of the next-generation's workforce. As a thought leader, she is invited to speak at various think tanks, such as the Hudson Institute, the Wilson Center, and Global Policy Insights to discuss innovation, technology, and workforce development. As a futurist, Shelli has

participated in research projects for both NASA and ESA to better understand the future of the global space system and its implications over the coming decades. One of Shelli’s other most notable accomplishments is her current role as G100 Global Chair, in the Space Technology and Aviation sectors. G100 is an action + think tank, which is focused on creating gender diversity and gender equality, by 2030. It is an empowered group of 100 women leaders from across the world, leading 100 global wings, supported by G100 He-for-She Champions (Denim Club) and 100 Country Chairs for powerful advocacy, awareness & impact across governments and organizations for a gender equal future. Country chairs further foster communities of 100 members directly or through further distributed leadership of region/state/city/district chairs. Together, they advocate for equity and equality and mitigate barriers to women’s robust participation and leadership in all walks of life. G100 comprises a league of luminaries of eminence and excellence including Nobel Laureates, Heads of States, Ministers, Businesswomen, Philanthropists, Investors, Entrepreneurs, CEOs, Corporate and Community Leaders – a powerful Group of women leaders and achievers from all walks of life who wish to give back and move us all forward as architects of the future. Following Tom Zelibor’s retirement, Major General Heather Pringle will come onboard as CEO of Space Foundation, on July 1, 2023, and they will have an allfemale C-level suite. Not by design or intentionally but, rather, by the best qualified person for the job being hired for each of the three positions. Holly Roberts, joined the organization in 1987 has advanced to her current role as Chief Financial Officer, over the years, and Shelli Brunswick was hired as Chief Continued on Page 30

CONTINUED...

LUCY

HOWLETT

INTERVIEW

When did you know you wanted to work in Aerospace? Before I joined Star Harbor, I was a teacher in an aerospace-focused middle school, inspiring young students to become more involved in the aviation and aerospace industry. I fell in love with what I was teaching and just became super excited about teaching the subject. Then it started to dawn on me, ‘Why not me?’ So I reached out to Maraia, who is my CEO, and asked if they were hiring. Somehow the stars were aligned, and they happened to be looking for a person with similar skill sets that I have. It’s been a lot of learning since I joined, but I get to do what I’m passionate about, so it doesn’t feel daunting but rather satisfying.

What's been your biggest obstacle? What has been your biggest obstacle, and how did it change your actions and perspective going forward? I would instead call it a delay, than an obstacle, since I am just starting out in the industry. Indeed, being in a maledominated industry has been interesting. But mostly, I think it’s coming from just starting out and transitioning from non-aerospace to aerospace, even if I had an indirect influence as an educator, which is a femaledominated industry. For example, I am not approached by other male counterparts who do not know me on the exhibition floor. Whereas, if I walked in with a male colleague, other people were more open to talking to us. I don’t know if it’s because they don’t take me seriously, or they just don’t know how to talk to women, in general. When I approach them and start asking questions, they start to open up more.

What advice would you give the next generation of astronaut hopefuls? This was a big focus when I was a teacher. I always emphasized that hard skill is only get you to a certain level, but soft skills will get you to the next level. Working with other people in harmony can be difficult, especially if you have to share a small quarter in a space station with a bunch of people that you don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye with. Part of that comes from knowing and being comfortable with who we are, on a very deep level. Once one can accept who are, then we can truly be empathetic to others. This can lead to great teamwork. We can’t go to Mars by ourselves.

What would you say to people under 25 to get them into the space industry? Learn how to learn and how to be kind to others as you work. We are in a place where we are charting unknown territories, and being able to learn new things by leveraging the skills on how to learn things will push us that much further. Also, we need professionals from all aspects, not just from aerospace engineering, for example.

Catalyst, cont'd. Operating Officer, eight ago. While this was not planned Shelli said she "thinks it’s important that Space Foundation, although not designed to have a female CEO, I think it’s nice to see Space Foundation is an organization that’s leading with, not a quota system, not affirmative action, but is leading with the best qualified person for the job – who happened to be a woman.”

Gender equality is no longer a women’s issue, or one country’s issue, but one that concerns us all. Like in the case of the pandemic, or climate change, or terrorism, gender inequality, as well, is a global challenge that needs concerted effort by all to combat and overcome. In conclusion, Shelli Brunswick’s role as Chief Operating Officer of Space Foundation, G100 Global Chair of Space Technology & Aviation, and as a member of the Forbes Technology Council has solidified her position as a catalyst of change, collaboration, and inclusivity in the space industry. Through her visionary leadership, she connects people, drives innovation, and champions the idea that space is open and accessible to all. 30

Melissa Glasson

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10 AMAZING BUT TRUE FACTS ABOUT AEROSPACE 1.The first powered flight by a human-made aircraft took place on December 17, 1903 when the Wright brothers flew their airplane, the Wright Flyer, for 12 seconds in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. 2.The Saturn V rocket, used I the Appollo missions that landed astronauts on the moon, remains the tallest, heaviest, and most powerful rocket ever built. Standing at 363 feet (111 meters) tall, it could carry a payload of over 100 tons to space. 3.The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest human-made structure in space, spanning approximately the size of a football field. It orbits the Earth at an altitude of about 250 miles (400 kilometers) and serves as a laboratory for scientific research. 4.The fastest manned aircraft ever built is the North American X-15, which set a speed record of Mach 6.7 (4,520 miles per hour or 7,273 kilometers per hour) in 1967. It could reach altitudes of up to 354,200 feet (107,960 meters). 5.The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, has provided breathtaking images of the universe and revolutionized our understanding of space. It has made over 1.4 million observations and discovered galaxies billions of light-years away. 6.The SR-71 Blackbird, a reconnaissance aircraft developed by the United States, remains the fastest airplane ever built. It could fly at speeds exceeding Mach 3 (2,193 miles per hour or 3,529 kilometers per hour). 7.The Voyager 1 spacecraft, launched by NASA in 1977, is currently the farthest human-made object from Earth. It entered interstellar space in 2012 and continues to transmit valuable data about the outer regions of our solar system. 8.The space shuttle was a reusable spacecraft system operated by NASA from 1981 to 2011. It consisted of an orbiter, two solid rocket boosters, and an external fuel tank. Five shuttles were built in total: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavor. 9.The X-37B, an unmanned spaceplane operated by the United States Air Force, holds the record for the longest-duration mission for a reusable spacecraft. The fifth mission, which concluded in 2020, lasted for 780 days, 10 hours, and 42 minutes. 10.The Bell X-1, piloted by Chuck Yeager on October 14, 1947, became the first aircraft to break the sound barrier. Yeager reached a speed of Mach 1.06 (700 miles per hour or 1,126 kilometers per hour) in level flight.

Congratulations

highlights, continued On October 18, 2019, Christina Koch and Jessica Meir participated in the first all-female spacewalk. They ventured outside the International Space Station to replace a faulty battery charger, marking a significant milestone in spacewalk history. 2020: Kathryn D. Sullivan, American astronaut and oceanographer, became the first woman to reach the deepest known point in the ocean, the Challenger Deep, on June 7, 2020. She descended to a depth of approximately 35,843 feet (10,925 meters) in the Mariana Trench. 2021: Hayley Arceneaux, a physician assistant, became the youngest American and the first person with a prosthesis to travel to space. As part of the all-civilian crew of SpaceX’s Ispiration4 mission in September 2021, she helped raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Wally Funk, a pioneering aviator, became the oldest person to fly to space, at the age of 82. She ws part of Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket crew, on July 20, 2021.

NOTE: The selection of these highlights are based on notable achievements and milestones in the field of women in aerospace. There have been numerous other significant contributions by woman throughout history that are not included in this timeline. 34

LASER FOCUS ON:

WOMEN IN AEROSPACE Aerospace is NOT just for Astronauts and Rocket Scientists. That’s what you will hear, over and over again, if you talk to anyone in the space industry. And that’s not all, there are more women in the Space Industry now, than ever before… and it shows. You name it, a lecture, presentation, symposium, conference, or workshop regarding Space will have women included. It wasn’t always this way and there is still effort to be made, but they are there! It’s been a conscience effort on behalf of some of the biggest companies out there to make sure women are being included. And it shows. The big question on everyone's mind is, how do we get more women into the industry? The answer is always; communication earlier and more often. Kindergartens, Middle Schools, and High Schools should discuss what it takes to get a Security Clearance and the intrinsic benefits. If all kids knew the multiple directions they could go with a robust skill set, it could impact not only their career, but their industry of choice.

They also need to know it takes more than scientists to run a company and the space industry is no different. Every company in the sector needs "non-traditional" space industry skill sets, such as: marketing, human resources, sales, IT, engineering, networking, learning & development, data analytics, strategic planning, software engineering, project management, and general back office. These are all skill sets that could be groomed towards the industry. If the importance of a Security Clearance was added to the conversation early on, especially to girls, then we could impact perception and generate excitement to work within the Aerospace industry. It's not too late! If you’re starting to get excited about entering the Aerospace Industry, don’t stop at just the companies you already know. There are many sub-industries making up this sector. Such as; Transportation, Equipment and Merchant Wholesalers, R&D, Aircraft manufacturing, Auxiliary Equipment, Navigation, and Telecommunications, just to name a few. Lastly, it's up to YOU to encourage girls and women to seek jobs within their skill sets that apply to the Aerospace industry.

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