Women in Aerospace

For this week’s , we celebrate Chiaki Mukai, physician, astronaut, and researcher whose groundbreaking career has advanced space medicine and international cooperation in human spaceflight.

Born in Tatebayashi, Japan, Chiaki earned her medical degree from Keio University and later specialized in cardiovascular surgery. Before entering the astronaut corps, she worked as a physician and researcher, studying cardiovascular physiology and the effects of stress on the human body.

In 1985, she was selected by the National Space Development Agency of Japan, now JAXA, as one of Japan’s first astronauts. She made history in 1994 as the first Japanese woman to travel to space aboard Space Shuttle Columbia on the STS-65 mission. During the mission, she conducted numerous life sciences experiments that examined the effects of microgravity on the human body and living organisms.

Chiaki returned to space in 1998 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-95 mission, which also carried astronaut John Glenn on his historic return to space. Across her two missions, she logged more than 566 hours in space and contributed to research that expanded our understanding of human physiology in microgravity.

Beyond her spaceflight achievements, Chiaki has held leadership positions within Japan’s space program, promoting international collaboration and advancing research in human space exploration. She has also served in academic and medical leadership roles, helping train future scientists, physicians, and aerospace professionals.

Chiaki Mukai’s career demonstrates the powerful connection between medicine and space exploration. Her pioneering contributions continue to inspire future generations of researchers, physicians, and astronauts around the world.

For this week’s hashtag , we celebrate Ellen Lord, a business leader and public servant whose career has strengthened the aerospace and defense industries through innovation, acquisition reform, and strategic leadership.

Ellen earned a degree in chemistry from Connecticut College and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire before building a distinguished career in aerospace and defense. She spent more than three decades at Textron Systems, ultimately serving as President and CEO, where she led the development and delivery of advanced aerospace, defense, and intelligence systems.

In 2017, Ellen was appointed Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, becoming the chief acquisition officer for the U.S. Department of Defense. In this role, she oversaw one of the world's largest procurement and logistics organizations, managing billions of dollars in defense investments and helping modernize acquisition processes to improve efficiency, innovation, and mission readiness.

Throughout her career, Ellen has championed collaboration between government and industry, recognizing the importance of technological innovation in addressing evolving national security challenges. Her leadership helped accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies and strengthen partnerships across the defense and aerospace sectors.

Beyond her executive and government service, Ellen has remained committed to mentoring future leaders and advancing opportunities for women in STEM and aerospace. Her career demonstrates the impact of strong leadership, strategic vision, and a commitment to public service.

🚨 Today is the Deadline! 🚨

Applications for the 2026–2027 WIA Foundation Scholarships close TODAY, June 16!

The WIA Foundation will award four $5,000 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.

Apply before the deadline: https://womeninaerospacefoundation.org/foundation/

⏰ 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. 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 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 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! 🚀

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, 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 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.