Women in Aerospace

Women in Aerospace WIA is dedicated to expanding women's opportunities for leadership and increasing their visibility in

⏰ One week left to apply! The deadline for the 2026–2027 WIA Foundation Scholarships is June 16th.The WIA Foundation is ...
06/09/2026

⏰ One week left to apply! The deadline for the 2026–2027 WIA Foundation Scholarships is June 16th.

The WIA Foundation is proud to award four $5,000 merit-based scholarships to women pursuing careers in aerospace. If you're a rising junior or senior studying engineering, math, or science, don't miss this opportunity to invest in your future.

🚀 Applications close June 16 - submit yours today!

Learn more and apply: https://www.womeninaerospacefoundation.org/foundation/

For this week’s , we celebrate Audrey Schaffer, a space policy leader whose career has helped shape the future of U.S. ...
06/09/2026

For this week’s , we celebrate Audrey Schaffer, a space policy leader whose career has helped shape the future of U.S. space exploration, technology, and national space strategy.

Audrey has held influential roles across government, industry, and the nonprofit sector, working at the intersection of space policy, innovation, and national security. She served on the National Space Council, where she helped coordinate U.S. space policy across federal agencies and supported initiatives related to civil, commercial, and national security space activities.

Throughout her career, Audrey has championed the development of emerging space technologies and the growth of the commercial space sector. Her work has focused on fostering collaboration among government, industry, and academia to advance U.S. leadership in space.

In addition to her policy contributions, Audrey has been a strong advocate for STEM education and workforce development. She has worked to expand opportunities for the next generation of scientists, engineers, and space professionals, recognizing that innovation depends on a diverse and talented workforce.

Known for her strategic vision and collaborative leadership, Audrey has helped guide important conversations about the future of space exploration, space technology, and international cooperation.

Audrey Schaffer’s career demonstrates that the future of aerospace is shaped not only by those who build and launch spacecraft, but also by the leaders who help chart the course for exploration and innovation.

Do you know a woman or ally making an extraordinary impact in aerospace? 🚀✨Now is your chance to help her receive the re...
06/03/2026

Do you know a woman or ally making an extraordinary impact in aerospace? 🚀✨

Now is your chance to help her receive the recognition she deserves.

Nominations for the 2026 WIA Awards are officially OPEN! Each year, Women in Aerospace honors outstanding leaders, innovators, mentors, and changemakers whose contributions are advancing the aerospace community and inspiring the next generation.

Up to 7 awards will be presented at this year's ceremony. If someone comes to mind, don't wait—submit a nomination and help shine a spotlight on their achievements.

🔗 Submit a nomination by July 27: https://www.womeninaerospace.org/programs/awards/nomination.html

For this week’s , we celebrate Jessica Meir, astronaut, physiologist, and explorer whose career has advanced both scien...
06/02/2026

For this week’s , we celebrate Jessica Meir, astronaut, physiologist, and explorer whose career has advanced both scientific research and human spaceflight.

Jessica earned a Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and built an impressive research career studying how animals adapt to extreme environments. Her work took her from Antarctica to underwater habitats, examining the physiological adaptations that enable survival in some of Earth’s harshest conditions.

Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013, Jessica launched to the International Space Station in 2019 as part of Expedition 61/62. During her mission, she spent more than 200 days in space, conducting scientific research, supporting station operations, and contributing to experiments that will help inform future exploration missions.

In October 2019, Jessica and fellow astronaut Christina Koch made history by participating in the first all-female spacewalk. The milestone represented decades of progress in human spaceflight and highlighted the critical contributions women continue to make across the aerospace industry.

Throughout her career, Jessica has demonstrated a passion for discovery, interdisciplinary science, and exploration. Her work bridges biology, physiology, and spaceflight, helping expand our understanding of both life on Earth and humanity’s future beyond it.

Applications are OPEN for the 2026–2027 WIA Foundation Scholarships — but don’t wait, the deadline to apply is June 16! ...
05/21/2026

Applications are OPEN for the 2026–2027 WIA Foundation Scholarships — but don’t wait, the deadline to apply is June 16! 🚀

The WIA Foundation is proud to offer four $5,000 merit-based scholarships to women pursuing careers in aerospace. If you're a rising junior or senior in college studying engineering, math, or science, this opportunity could be for you.

Take the next step toward achieving your dreams in aerospace and submit your application before the June 16 deadline.

Learn more and apply here:
https://www.womeninaerospacefoundation.org/foundation/

Today, we celebrate National Women in Aerospace Day!On this day, we honor the countless women whose innovation, leadersh...
05/20/2026

Today, we celebrate National Women in Aerospace Day!

On this day, we honor the countless women whose innovation, leadership, and determination have shaped aviation, human spaceflight, engineering, science, and the future of aerospace.

May 20th commemorates the anniversary of Amelia Earhart’s historic solo transatlantic flight and serves as a reminder of the trailblazers who continue to inspire future generations to reach beyond the horizon. Women In Aerospace is proud to celebrate the pioneers, changemakers, and future leaders advancing our industry every day.

For this week’s hashtag , we celebrate Anita Sengupta, an aerospace engineer, entrepreneur, and innovator whose work has...
05/19/2026

For this week’s hashtag , we celebrate Anita Sengupta, an aerospace engineer, entrepreneur, and innovator whose work has advanced planetary exploration, aerospace systems, and sustainable aviation technologies.

Anita earned both her M.S. and Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California before beginning her career at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. There, she became the lead systems engineer for the parachute system used during the landing of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover in 2012, helping ensure one of the most complex and successful Mars landings in history.

She also led development and testing of the NASA Orion spacecraft drogue parachute system used for Artemis program re-entry missions, contributing to the future of human deep-space exploration. Later, Anita served as project manager for the Cold Atom Laboratory aboard the International Space Station, a groundbreaking quantum physics facility enabling experiments at temperatures near absolute zero in microgravity.

In addition to her engineering accomplishments, Anita is a passionate science communicator and educator. She has delivered TEDx talks, keynote addresses, podcasts, and media appearances around the world, helping make aerospace and emerging technologies more accessible to the public. She also serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Astronautical Engineering at USC and is a member of the United Nations Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition.

Anita’s career reflects the power of combining technical excellence, entrepreneurship, and public engagement to shape the future of aerospace and sustainable technology.

WIA loves sharing our trailblazers every Tuesday. As we get ready to celebrate Women in Aerospace Day, tell us who inspi...
05/19/2026

WIA loves sharing our trailblazers every Tuesday. As we get ready to celebrate Women in Aerospace Day, tell us who inspires you! Post a pic, tag a mentor, shout out an ally, and use the . We want to hear from you!

Women have always helped shape the future of flight and space exploration, and now their contributions are being formall...
05/18/2026

Women have always helped shape the future of flight and space exploration, and now their contributions are being formally recognized nationwide.

Last December, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee and Congressman Mike Haridopolos introduced a bipartisan resolution designating May 20th as National Women in Aerospace Day. The date honors the anniversary of Amelia Earhart becoming the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean, a milestone that continues to inspire generations of women in aerospace.

From aviation pioneers to astronauts, engineers, scientists, and leaders across the industry, we celebrate the women whose achievements continue to expand the frontiers of aerospace.

For this week’s , we celebrate Karen Nyberg, an engineer, astronaut, and STEM advocate whose work has advanced space ex...
05/12/2026

For this week’s , we celebrate Karen Nyberg, an engineer, astronaut, and STEM advocate whose work has advanced space exploration and inspired future generations of innovators.

Karen earned degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of North Dakota and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin before joining NASA in 1998. During her early career, she contributed to research in human factors and astronaut equipment design, helping improve how astronauts live and work in space.

Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2000, Karen flew on two space missions, including a long-duration expedition aboard the International Space Station. Over the course of her career, she logged more than 180 days in space and contributed to scientific research, robotics operations, and station maintenance that supported ongoing human spaceflight efforts.

Karen also became widely recognized for sharing the creative and human side of life in space. From educational outreach to sewing and crafting aboard the ISS, she connected audiences around the world to the everyday experiences of astronauts and helped make STEM more accessible and relatable.

Throughout her career, Karen has been a strong advocate for science education and encouraging young people, especially girls, to pursue careers in engineering and aerospace.

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