Members Can Post Anonymously On This Site
-
Similar Topics
-
By NASA
“When I transitioned from Spelman to Georgia Tech, it was probably the first time in my life that I had a professor that made me question if I belonged or had what it takes. Previously, I was always used as an example of how students should study, and now, in my first chemical engineering class, I would raise my hand for a question and wouldn’t get recognized, or my question would be followed by, ‘I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying, Miss Plummer.’
“I was struggling with imposter syndrome before I knew what that was, wondering, ‘Have I just been in some dream world up until now? Am I not as smart as I thought I was?’ I would be in my room just knocking out homework problems, no problem, but I would get in class, and it was almost like I’d freeze up. [My professor] would be walking around the room, and I could not make my brain work. I really struggled through that and did not pass that class – the first time I had ever not passed a class – and this was supposed to be my major!
“…Sometimes you look around and wonder why you don’t see a lot of [people of color] in some positions, and it’s probably because of situations like this where we have such high standards but feel we cannot meet them. We don’t give ourselves grace. We assume, ‘This obviously isn’t for me.’
“…But I knew I could do it. I had to, number one, get out of my head and, two, realize not everyone will be a fan or in your corner cheering for you… As a young college student, it was the first time I ever faced [this situation], and it buckled me. It set me back until I realized that I could do it and that my worth wasn’t based on what someone else thought of me or my abilities…I went back that next semester with a new mindset and determination, and I passed that class with an A and moved on through the rest of my engineering classes.
“That [experience] really informed the type of leader I am and taught me how to make sure that everybody has a voice and feels like they belong. Looking back, I thought it was the worst thing in the world when I was going through it, but now I see it was exactly what I needed at that point in my life to understand that I’m meant to be here doing what I am doing. I learned to give myself grace. If I had pulled myself out of that STEM major, I would never have been managing a technology demonstration program for NASA that launched ten technologies into space.”
– Tawnya Plummer Laughinghouse, Director of the Materials and Processes Laboratory, Engineering Directorate, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
Image Credit: NASA/Charles Beason
Interviewer: NASA/Tahira Allen
Check out some of our other Faces of NASA.
View the full article
-
By NASA
7 Min Read 2024 Be An Astronaut Campaign
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan tethered to the International Space Station during a spacewalk. Credits: NASA NASA astronauts have been traveling to space for more than six decades and living there continuously since 2000. Now, NASA’s Artemis program is preparing to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon. As NASA continues to expand human exploration in our solar system, we will need more than the currently active astronauts to crew spacecraft bound for deep-space destinations.
Every four years, NASA opens its doors and welcomes thousands of applicants to join a new class of astronauts that will push human spaceflight to new depths. Astronaut applications opened March 5, 2024, and closed April 16, 2024. In those 42 days, NASA’s 2024 Be An Astronaut Campaign used various platforms to promote the beauty of human spaceflight, explore opportunities to reach untapped and underserved audiences, encourage the younger generations to follow their dreams and pursue a career as an astronaut, and inspire the world about the capabilities we have as humans to explore farther than we ever have before.
Official “Be a NASA Astronaut” Video
To kick off the astronaut recruitment campaign, NASA, NASA Johnson, NASA Artemis, and NASA Astronauts accounts collaborated on a video narrated by Morgan Freeman on Instagram reaching over 9.7 million views. This video, seen below, was shared across agency social media platforms, YouTube, and digital sites to introduce the start of the astronaut application period.
The Universe is Calling: Apply to Be a NASA Astronaut, official NASA astronaut recruitment video featuring a voice over by Morgan Freeman. "Spaceflight is just one part of it. You are a team member before you are any thing in this role."
April Jordan
Manager of NASA Astronaut Selection
Throughout the campaign, #BeAnAstronaut was utilized to increase campaign awareness and engagement. This hashtag was used by 36 agency accounts and totaled 167 posts across the agency. With over 15,000 social media mentions, 256,655 total page views throughout the campaign, and news presence on the Today Show, TIME Magazine, Yahoo News, The New York Times, and more, the Be An Astronaut campaign was a successful and exciting project that inspired aspiring astronauts to follow their dreams.
2024 Astronaut Graduation
On March 5, 2024, not only did astronaut applications open, but the 2021 class of NASA astronaut candidates graduated, officially making them astronauts and eligible for spaceflight. These newly graduated astronauts created a superlative to demonstrate just how NASA’s astronaut corps works as a team and family as they passed the torch down to NASA’s next class of astronauts.
The 2024 astronaut graduating class gives you an insider’s look at not only the who’s who of their graduating class, but it allows you to get a glimpse of the accomplished astronauts’ personalities. To see them together as a group, connecting through laughter helps to illustrate how much they value team care. These classic superlatives give the scoop on which astronaut is the best dancer, the funniest, and more. Enjoy seeing a lighter side of “The Flies” in this fun and upbeat montage of the 2024 astronaut graduating class.
Astronaut Candidate Countdown
Our astronaut graduation countdown campaign celebrated the most recent graduating class of astronauts. The previous class completed two years of rigorous training at Johnson Space Center before they officially gained their wings. This campaign not only highlighted their achievements, but hopefully inspired potential candidates by showcasing the journey from trainee to astronaut. During the graduation ceremony, applications for the next astronaut class were announced, continuing the legacy of excellence and exploration.
NASA astronaut Luke Delaney poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Jessica Wittner poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Andre Douglas poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Marcos Berrios poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center astronaut Nora AlMatrooshi poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Anil Menon poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Deniz Burnham poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center astronaut Mohammed AlMulla poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Christina Birch poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Christopher Williams poses for the Astronaut Graduation Countdown.Credit: NASA
NASA Tumblr Thread
For many people, human spaceflight has been a part of their lives for decades. After years of exploring, hundreds of astronauts have shared their unique experiences with the world and inspired many to want to follow in their footsteps. With over 100 thousand impressions on Tumblr, NASA posted a unique thread on “5 Myths About Becoming an Astronaut”.
https://www.tumblr.com/nasa/132538793869/5-myths-about-becoming-an-astronaut NASA’s Tumblr thread on “5 Myths About Becoming an Astronaut”. Credit: NASA
STEM Pinterest Pin
Reaching various audiences of all ages, backgrounds, demographics, and experiences was key during the Be An Astronaut Campaign. Not only was it important for this campaign to reach qualifying applicants, but it was just as important to reach the aspiring astronauts of the younger generation.
NASA posted on Pinterest 10 ways students can kick-start their space journeys within NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, or OSTEM. Through this post, NASA was able to reach over 40 thousand students and share ways to get involved with NASA’s missions.
A NASA astronaut during a spacewalk outside the International Space Station with the text, “10 Ways Students Can Prepare to #BeAnAstronaut”Credit: NASA "[NASA’s] decisions have led us to having an astronaut office that looks very much like America. You could reach in and grab any four people, and they would look like our crew.”
Victor glover
NASA Astronaut, Artemis II Pilot
NASA @ SXSW
A graphic of the International Space Station with the text, “Live from Space at SXSW: NASA Astronauts and Your Work in Orbit”.Credit: NASA NASA astronauts Jeanette Epps and Loral O’Hara joined NASA experts at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas live from space on March 12, 2024. The astronauts joined a panel from aboard the International Space Station to discuss what it’s like to be an astronaut, how people can get involved with space station research and technology, and how to apply to become an astronaut.
Read More
Kristin Fabre, Jennifer Buchli, Leah Cheshier, Loral O’Hara & Jeanette Epps at Featured Session: Live from Space: NASA Astronauts & Your Work in Orbit as part of SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals held at the Austin Convention Center on March 12, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Credit: Stephen Olker/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)
Vice President Encourages Applicants
Vice President Kamala Harris quoted NASA on X to encourage people to apply to become an astronaut reaching more than 885 thousand users on the social media platform.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ post on X stating, “As Chair of the National Space Council, I am honored to witness our astronauts’ skill and determination first-hand. There is no typical path for an astronaut, and the next class of NASA astronauts will continue to lead the world in space exploration.”.
Astronaut Reddit AMA
Our Astronaut Recruitment Reddit AMA on March 20th was the top post on Reddit with 25 million subscribers, and stayed pinned to the top of the subreddit for several days. NASA astronauts Shannon Walker, Jessica Watkins, and Luke Delaney discussed what it takes to be an astronaut as well as personal insights into their journey.
Merriam-Webster Word of the Day: Astronaut
NASA astronaut and member of the recently graduated 2021 class of NASA astronauts, Deniz Burnham, participated in the “Word of the Day” series with Merriam-Webster defining the word ‘astronaut’. Just weeks after officially becoming an astronaut, Deniz’s video was featured on Merriam-Webster’s website and social media platforms.
NASA astronaut Deniz Burnham featured in Merriam-Webster’s word of the day video defining the word “astronaut”.
Houston, We Have a Podcast
On NASA’s top-rated podcast, “Houston We Have a Podcast,” our astronaut recruitment episode garnered over 4,000 plays on Apple Podcasts and more than 1,000 plays on Spotify. In this episode, the manager of NASA astronaut selection discussed the selection process and how to apply for an out-of-this-world career.
A lone spacesuit can be seen in the middle of the image, as a black shadow of the helmet reflects three question marks.Credit: NASA United States Army Astronaut Recruitment Video
NASA astronaut and U.S. Army Col. Anne McClain discussed her experience as an astronaut and how other members of the U.S. Army can apply to become an astronaut and travel to space like her. This video was posted on the U.S. Army’s social media as well as posted to YouTube reaching thousands of supporters in and of the military.
Col. Anne McClain, commander of the U.S. Army NASA detachment, shares information on eligibility as well as where and when to apply to become a NASA astronaut like herself. Credit: U.S. Army Read More
Become An Astronaut Webpage
NASA’s ‘Become An Astronaut’ webpage drove 246,655 viewers to the page throughout the duration of the recruitment campaign from internal and external collaborations across various digital platforms and events. Listing job requirements, frequently asked questions, and how to apply, the webpage consisted of 87.1% new visitors to the site and had almost 28 thousand referrals from Instagram.
NASA’s ‘Become An Astronaut’ webpage.Credit: NASA Read More
The 2024 Be An Astronaut Campaign ranged from March 5, 2024 to April 16, 2024 and successfully integrated various platforms, outreach opportunities, and educational resources into the recruitment of our next class of astronauts.
With over 15 thousand social media mentions, 2 thousand news outlet mentions, $4.6 million in publicity value, a 91% positive sentiment, and 195 countries involved in the conversation, the campaign was able to inspire NASA’s future space explorers and push the agency closer to returning to the Moon and going to Mars.
Share
Details
Last Updated Dec 09, 2024 Related Terms
Becoming an Astronaut Astronauts General Humans in Space Why Go To Space Explore More
3 min read Protected: Space Station Trajectory Data
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Article 4 days ago 2 min read Protected: How do I Spot The Station?
Article 4 days ago 11 min read Protected: Spot the Station Frequently Asked Questions
Article 4 days ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA
Missions
Humans in Space
Climate Change
Solar System
View the full article
-
By NASA
NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams checks out the Astrobee robotic free-flyer in the Kibo laboratory module outfitted with tentacle-like arms containing gecko-like adhesive pads to demonstrate satellite capture techniques. Development of this robotic technology may increase the life span of satellites and enable the removal of space debris.NASA In this picture from Nov. 15, 2024, Astronaut Suni Williams imitates the tentacle-like arms of the Astrobee robotic free-flyer in the foreground.
Astrobee robots help astronauts reduce time they spend on routine duties, leaving them to focus more on the things that only humans can do. Working autonomously or via remote control by astronauts, flight controllers or researchers on the ground, the robots are designed to complete tasks such as taking inventory, documenting experiments conducted by astronauts with their built-in cameras or working together to move cargo throughout the station. In addition, the system serves as a research platform that can be outfitted and programmed to carry out experiments in microgravity – helping us to learn more about how robotics can benefit astronauts in space.
Image credit: NASA
View the full article
-
By NASA
NASA/Ben Smegelsky Employees at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and NASA astronaut Victor Glover (right) happily snap a photo of themselves during a visit on Nov. 8, 2024. The employees are part of the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS), which develops and operates the systems and facilities needed to process and launch rockets and spacecraft for NASA’s Artemis missions. EGS plays a primary role in assembly, launch, and recovery of rockets and spacecraft.
Image credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
View the full article
-
By Space Force
Astronauts aboard the ISS conducted an educational downlink, a communication signal from the spacecraft back to Earth, for Denver School of Science and Technology students.
View the full article
-
-
Check out these Videos
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.