A panel of influential women in aerospace recently gathered at a conference to discuss their experiences and the evolving landscape of the space industry. The event, titled “Women Redefining Tech and Space,” featured executives from leading organizations such as Varda Space Industries, Millennium Space Systems, and Hydroplane Ltd. The discussion highlighted the significant contributions women are making in fields traditionally dominated by men.
Moderated by Dr. Anita Sengupta, a rocket scientist and CEO of Hydroplane, the panel included notable figures like Wendy Shimata, Vice President of Autonomous Systems at Varda, and Melanie Pittaluga, Director of Marketing and Communications at Millennium Space Systems. Their insights painted a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs women face in the aerospace sector.
During the discussion, Pittaluga shared her unconventional journey into the industry. “It was not a predictable journey,” she said. After initially pursuing a degree in business and textile management, a college astronomy course taught by a retired NASA astronaut inspired her to shift gears. She eventually secured an internship with NASA, which led her to a fulfilling career in the intelligence community and ultimately to her current role at Millennium, where she focuses on small satellite technologies.
Shimata, who has been passionate about space since childhood, reflected on her early experiences as the only female in her engineering major. She emphasized the importance of representation, stating, “The 13-year-old girl who was on the robotics team could have never imagined being on stage talking about accomplishments of women in technology.” Her journey included a significant role at SpaceX, where she served as the software lead for the Dragon 2 program, before joining Varda Space Industries.
The panelists underscored the importance of storytelling in their careers. Pittaluga encouraged attendees to share their journeys: “By sharing our stories, we can help inspire others.” She noted that despite often being the only woman in the room, it is crucial to find supportive communities that foster growth. Her company, Millennium, has established an initiative called Supporting Women in Millennium, which organizes discussions and events to encourage women in STEM fields.
Shimata echoed this sentiment, admitting that she has sometimes felt unqualified to be in certain spaces. “You have to build upon your integrity, and then people start to trust you with projects,” she said. Her experience at Varda has been particularly rewarding, as the company seeks to innovate in pharmaceutical manufacturing in orbit.
Dr. Sengupta highlighted the lack of women starting aerospace companies and her motivation to change that. “There’s almost no women who are starting aerospace companies,” she explained. Her company, Hydroplane, is focused on developing a fuel cell-based power plant for aerospace applications, and she believes that having women in leadership roles can inspire future generations.
The panel also discussed the evolving nature of the space industry. Shimata pointed out that as the costs of space launches decrease, new opportunities arise. Varda has already flown a vehicle with a pharmaceutical payload, marking a significant achievement in commercial reentry missions.
Pittaluga, with her background in the intelligence community, emphasized the critical skill of effectively communicating complex information. “My superpower allows me to sit with the engineers and look at what they’re talking about from an outsider point of view,” she said. This ability to digest and repackage information is vital for connecting technology with its potential applications.
In closing, the panelists encouraged women to persist in their pursuits, highlighting the gradual shift towards inclusivity in the industry. “It gets easier over time,” Shimata said, stressing the importance of resilience and collaboration. The discussions at the conference offered not only valuable insights into the aerospace sector but also a powerful reminder of the role women play in shaping its future.
