The Aerospace Corporation is committed to inspiring young minds through a variety of outreach programs, including a long-standing partnership with the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC). This year, Aerospace worked with the SSEC to develop Stories of Women in STEM: Space, a digital book highlighting 11 inspiring women involved in leading space research and exploration. 

The book, which is aimed at middle and high school students, can be downloaded for free by students across the country and beyond allowing increased accessibility to these inspiring stories of past, present and future women in space. By reading these stories and learning from the challenges overcome by women in the industry, more students will feel confident in their ability to one day take their pace in space. 

Two of Aerospace’s own have been featured in the book, including Dr. Dava Newman, member of Aerospace’s Board of Trustees, and Ashley Kowalski, Project Leader in International Programs and Enterprise Architect Engineering. 

Newman has held many prestigious titles throughout her career, which includes roles at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, NASA, Aerospace and beyond. Among her many innovations is the BioSuit, which acts as a “second skin” supporting astronauts in low-gravity environments. Kowalski recently completed a five-month long analog mission with NASA, conducting research and living in close quarters with other participants simulating long-duration spaceflight. She was also a member of Aerospace’s Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) to test new technologies that could help shape the future of human space exploration. The research she and her team completed is essential for the future of space exploration. 

By sharing the stories of women in space, the book serves as a way to foster confidence in the next generation of diverse scientists and engineers who will play a critical role in meeting the needs of the space enterprise and ensuring innovation can truly thrive.