In Her Orbit

In this episode we're joined by Cassie Lee, Vice President of Business Development at Star Catcher, to talk about building a career in space that doesn’t always follow a straight line. From aerospace engineering at NASA to journalism, climate technology, philanthropy, and now building the first power grid in space, Cassie shares how unexpected opportunities have shaped her career. Cassie also...

Shawn sits down with Debra Facktor, Head of U.S. Space Systems for Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. to explore a career shaped by curiosity, pioneering spirit, and community. Debra shares how a chance realization in high school led her to aerospace engineering, her experiences as one of relatively few women in the field, and her unexpected path to leading a U.S. office in Moscow during the tr...

In our first episode back from our summer break, we are joined by Alex Duran, a Technical Program Manager at Viasat. Alex takes us behind the scenes of building and testing a satellite the size of a school bus on the Viasat-3 Flight 2 and Flight 3 programs, from integrating thousands of components to navigating the inevitable challenges that come with getting a spacecraft ready for launch.   Alex...

In this episode, we’re joined by Kelli Kedis Ogborn, a space economy strategist and Strategic Advisor for Global Markets and Industry Engagement at the Commercial Space Federation (CSF). Kelli shares her story from studying international security and conflict resolution to becoming a leading voice in commercial space, explaining how strategy, policy, investment, and global partnerships are shaping...

In this episode, we’re joined by Jasmine Singh, a planetary scientist, science communicator, and graduate researcher studying some of the most exciting questions in space exploration today. Jasmine shares her journey from a childhood fascination with the solar system to working on NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, which is investigating the habitability of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa and its vast subsu...

In this episode, Lisa Morris, Vice President of Operations at Solestial, walks us through her career from an industrial engineer to a leader in advanced manufacturing and commercial space. We also dive into Solestial’s groundbreaking space solar technology, the rapid growth of Arizona’s commercial space ecosystem, and Lisa’s perspective on building resilient teams and scalable solutions that will...

In this episode, we’re joined by Kristina Gatto, an astrophysicist, content creator, and founder of NOVA (the Network for Outreach and Vocation in Astronomy), to talk about her journey from a space-obsessed kid in New Jersey to a physics PhD student and astronomy advocate. Kristina shares how encouragement, mentorship, and community helped her overcome self-doubt and pursue astrophysics. We also e...

In this episode, we’re joined by Charlie McGillis, a retired Air Force Colonel and founder and CEO of 2 Polaris & Beyond, LLC. Charlie shares how her early curiosity, shaped by travel, a military family, and mentorship, led her to engineering, a long-held career as an intelligence officer, and ultimately, to use her expertise in national security to start her own business in the space industry...

Join us for a conversation with Laura Stiles, Director of New Shepard Flight Operations at Blue Origin and a newly minted Blue Origin astronaut, to explore her journey from studying engineering physics to launching to space. Laura shares how an early NASA internship sparked her passion for aerospace, how she found her place in the industry through different roles at Blue Origin, and what it’s like...

We’re joined by Izzy House, a marketing strategist, author, and space industry communicator who blends creativity with a passion for exploration. We explore her journey from running marketing firms to writing books on marketing the space industry, launching both a podcast and magazine, and writing children’s books that introduce STEM concepts through space adventures. Izzy also discusses her work...

In this episode, we’re joined by Cathy Yeung, an Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, to explore the intersection of drug development, kidney health, and space science. Cathy shares her unexpected journey from studying English to being a key investigator of cutting-edge kidney-on-a-chip research that uses human cells to better predict how medication metabolizes i...

In this episode, Shawn is joined by Anita Renteria, Chief Growth Officer of Barrios Technology, for an honest conversation about carving out your own path in the space industry. Anita shares her journey into the space industry from a career in sales, the role mentorship and unconditional support played in her career and personal life, and how being true to yourself allows for better growth and con...

In this episode, Shawn sits down with Jordan Callaham, Assistant Director at the University of Florida's Astraeus Space Institute. Jordan shares how her education in plant and animal sciences launched her into spaceflight research. Shawn and Jordan discuss the intricacies of growing plants in space and how we can support first-time space researchers, while also opening up about motherhood and...

In this episode, we're joined by Colleen McLeod Garner, Marketing and BD Capture Manager at Paragon Space Development Corporation and a University of North Dakota PhD candidate. Colleen walks us down her unconventional path from the wine and spirits industry into the space sector, sharing how her graduate studies at the Thunderbird School of Global Management fueled her curiosity of space bus...

We’re joined by Dr. Erika Wagner, Lead of U.S. Business Development at The Exploration Company. Erika walks us through her journey from a space-obsessed kid to earning her PhD at Harvard/MIT and helping lead the MIT Mars Gravity Biosatellite Program. She shares how her career has evolved through innovation work at the XPRIZE Foundation and more than a decade at Blue Origin, where she supported res...

We're joined by Sirisha Bandla, commercial astronaut, aeronautical engineer, and advocate for the next generation of space professionals. Sirisha walks us through following her dream of going to space from earning her degree at Purdue University, persevering through early career rejections, to finally launching to space with Virgin Galactic’s Unity 22 mission. She also talks through navigatin...

Shawn is joined by Amber McIntyre, Senior Director of Civil Space at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). Amber shares her journey from a career in diplomacy and public service to shaping U.S. and international space policy at NASA, the State Department, and the White House. She discusses her work on the Artemis Accords, the importance of collaboration across agencies and nations, and how s...

Sharon Caples McDougle shares her journey from the U.S. Air Force to becoming the first Black woman suit technician, Crew Chief, and Manager in NASA’s Crew Escape Equipment department. She opens up about suiting up Dr. Mae Jemison for her historic 1992 mission, leading the first all-female suit tech crew, and breaking barriers throughout her career. --- Where to find Sharon: Instagram Linkedin Fac...

CEO of Stellar Solutions and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Janet Grondin shares her path from small-town Iowa to leading a woman-owned small business. She reflects on pivotal moments such as growing up watching her father build a plane in their shed, her early work on the Delta rockets and GPS modernization, and her transition to industry. --- Where to find Janet: LinkedIn Stellar Solutions --- H...

Caroline Massey, Vice President, Civil Space Portfolio, at PTX, LLC, shares her 30+ year journey from portfolio management at NASA Goddard and Wallops to shaping civil space operations in the private sector. Caroline breaks down the business of space, explaining how contracts and partnerships drive NASA’s missions, why recompetes matter, and the evolution of the space industry's ecosystem. --...

Astrophysicist and University of Arizona professor Dr. Erika Hamden joins Shawn to talk about her lifelong passion for space, her path from Harvard and Columbia to leading cutting-edge telescope missions, and why resilience is key in science. She shares stories from balloon-powered telescope missions like Fireball, her upcoming NASA Pioneer mission Aspera, and her work training the next generation...

In this episode, we meet Jaime Kline, Vice President of Operations at Relative Dynamics and founder of Satya Yoga and Wellness. With over two decades in aerospace, Jaime shares how her childhood dream led her from Space Camp to NASA missions, and how her engineering roots evolved into leadership roles managing significant space programs. She opens up about holistic leadership, career transitions,...

In this episode, we’re joined by Debbie Wells, Vice President (Exploration/Energy/Environment) at Leidos and biomedical engineer whose work has helped shape the future of astronaut health and space research. From supporting experiments like “Chix in Space” to advancing food systems for long-duration missions, Debbie shares her fascinating journey through her career journey, the importance of scien...

Today on In Her Orbit, we're joined by Kelly Page, President of Barrios Technology, a woman-owned and operated small business with a long-standing legacy supporting NASA and advancing space exploration. Kelly shares her journey from growing up surrounded by the space industry to becoming the second-generation leader of a trailblazing woman-owned business with the guidance of her mother and fo...

In this episode, we're joined by Carol Craig, Founder and CEO of Sidus Space and Craig Technologies. As the first female founder to take a space company public, Carol shares the journey that led her from a career in the Navy to building a legacy in space and defense. She also discusses the challenges she’s faced as a woman in the aerospace industry, from fundraising hurdles to breaking throug...