Embracing Rejection: A Journey from Astronaut Candidate to Life’s Riches
I’ve previously talked about my rejection from the Astronaut Candidate Class of 2017, marking my second attempt. My first rejection came via a postcard, the second through a phone call after an in-person interview and medical evaluation, and the third via a letter with a personalized note. Undeterred, I’m now on my fourth application. I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve just completed it.
Following my near miss in 2017, where I made it to the final 50 candidates out of over 18,000 applicants, I took some time for introspection. Was space exploration still my calling? Absolutely. Despite the setback, I realized that much of an astronaut’s career is grounded on Earth, a realization that spurred me to take control of my journey. I didn’t need anyone’s permission to replicate the Earth based portion of an Astronaut’s career to the best of my ability.
I left my career in academia for NASA, beginning work at NASA JPL, where I climbed the ranks of technical leadership swiftly before exploring agile aerospace in the private sector. Alongside, I achieved milestones in martial arts (Kung Fu black belt), scuba diving (PADI Master Scuba Diver), and deepened my proficiency in Chinese (sitting for the HSK 3 exam this May).
Most meaningfully, I embraced parenthood, welcoming my third child last December. My children — these particular ones — would not have existed were I selected in 2017. Reflecting on the past seven years, I wouldn’t trade the experiences gained in leadership, sports, languages, and technical skills, nor the joy of motherhood, for a journey to the ISS. I now feel uniquely prepared, both personally and professionally, for the potential advancement in this round of the selection process.
The transformation isn’t just personal; the aerospace industry itself has undergone a revolution, notably with the rise of agile aerospace. Witnessing the strides made during my recent visit to SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas, I’m confident that vehicles like Starship will propel us to new frontiers, starting with the Moon and beyond.
With my background of living almost a year at the Antarctic South Pole, I yearn for the camaraderie and scientific pursuits of extended missions on a tight-knit base. I hope to be at exactly the right place, at exactly the right time to be able to live on a Moon or Mars base for an extended period.
Interested in joining me? There's still time to apply, with the deadline set for April 16th, 2024.
