When Kirsten was three years old, she asked to have her face painted as an astronaut at a local fair – no butterflies or superheroes for her. That’s when her aunt knew she was dealing with a determined future space professional. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Kirsten, whose career has indeed followed that determined early path all the way into the heart of the space industry.

From her earliest days, Kirsten’s interest in space was clear. Telescopes, astronomy books, and space camp filled her childhood. At space camp, Kirsten’s dreams took a slight but crucial detour. Assigned not as an astronaut but as a flight controller, she initially felt disappointed – until she realised it was the mission control team calling the shots. That sixth-grade revelation set her on a precise trajectory toward NASA.

After graduating with an aerospace engineering degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Kirsten began her career at Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee, testing re-entry materials for spacecraft. A few years later, as NASA resumed shuttle missions following the Columbia accident, Kirsten achieved her childhood goal and became a flight controller. Her NASA career spanned both the shuttle program and the International Space Station – impressive, but for Kirsten, just a natural progression of her long-held ambition.

Today, Kirsten is at Maxspace, an innovative company pioneering expandable space modules. Unlike the fragile-sounding “inflatable” habitats you might imagine, these expandables become rigid, stable structures once in orbit. They’re ideal for applications on the Moon and Mars, significantly enhancing usable space without the massive launch requirements of traditional modules. Maxspace is also exploring defence and orbital debris removal applications – truly pushing the envelope of what’s possible in space.

One aspect Kirsten deeply values about the space industry is its inherent potential – the incredible possibilities it offers to enhance everyday life, whether through satellite navigation in our phones or groundbreaking cancer research conducted in orbit. Space, for Kirsten, is endlessly fascinating because it’s always moving forward, always evolving in ways we can’t even fully predict today.

In our conversation, Kirsten passionately emphasised the importance of making space careers more accessible. She shared a telling anecdote about her own daughter, who finds space “not cool” because, well, her mom does it. For many young people, particularly in places like Houston where space exploration is a familiar backdrop, the excitement of space has become commonplace. Kirsten believes that re-energising interest means connecting space technology to familiar, relatable things – DoorDash deliveries, GPS navigation, even YouTubers and Roblox influencers.

Kirsten’s career has not been without its setbacks. She candidly shared insights on teamwork, reflecting on the reality that not all teams will mesh perfectly, and not every situation will resolve neatly. Accepting that you can’t always change others, but you can objectively assess and adjust your circumstances, has been an essential lesson. On the flip side, Kirsten’s proudest achievement involved creatively resolving a decade-old issue between engineers and pilots at Pratt & Whitney – highlighting her resourcefulness and determination.

To those looking to enter the space industry, Kirsten’s advice is straightforward and powerful: network. Connect with professionals who hold roles similar to your interests. Ask questions, explore opportunities, and demonstrate how your skills can transfer. She emphasised the openness of the space community, encouraging newcomers to reach out, as many in the industry are genuinely eager to help.

Our conversation left me inspired by Kirsten’s clarity, dedication, and the straightforward way she approaches challenges. Whether navigating complex team dynamics or pioneering innovative space habitats, Kirsten exemplifies a key lesson: sometimes the simplest questions and solutions are the most powerful.

If Kirsten’s journey resonates with you, take her advice – reach out, connect, and explore. Your role in space might be closer than you think.