SoFi’s Post

I had the pleasure of dining with 2 moonwalking astronauts: Harrison “Jack” Schmitt and Dave Scott, as well as Dr Andry Thomas Australian astronaut that flew on the space shuttle and visited both MIR and the ISS space stations. They all signed my photo of an Apollo launch that I had built. How did I make the meeting happen? I set my goal on doing it and created several actionable tasks to ensure I had the possibility. I networked with the right people. I joined the right groups. I built my rocket 🚀 … We created a business promoting commercial space opportunities. We invited the astronauts to come to Australia to help us… If you want to reach your own ’sky high’ goals, you need to do the same. I can help you plan everything. DM if you want to discuss your goals with me and how I may be able to help you reach them. PS: Individual photos are in the comments.

Axelent honors its safety pioneers, and today we focus on modern pioneer, Ellen Ochoa. Ellen Ochoa is an American engineer, former astronaut, and former director of the Johnson Space Center.  While at Sanford and later at the Sandia National Laboratories and NASA, Ochoa developed optical systems for performing information processing. She patented several optical systems, including those to detect defects. Her work would be used in space exploration, and in 1993, she became the first Hispanic woman to go to space. She would spend over 40 days in space throughout her career. After the Columbia space shuttle disaster in 2003, Ochoa would recognize the need for inclusion and open discussion to prevent future disasters.  In an interview with Standford University, Ochoa said, “In a culture where people don’t feel like someone is going to listen, it’s hard for people to speak up, even when safety is at risk. In the aftermath of Columbia, I spent a lot of time thinking about what we could do to make every member of the team feel that their thoughts and perspectives were valued and respected, not just because it was the right thing to do, but because if employees didn’t feel they could speak up, the safety of our people was compromised.” Ochoa would take apply these beliefs to her time as director at the Johnson Space Center, overseeing the work on the spacecraft Orion, which has the ability to carry a astronauts deep into space. #axelent #safety #machineguarding #machinesafety #industry #safetymatters #standards #safetywebinar #safetyfirst

First female astronauts from the Caribbean; First mother-daughter duo to go to space; Most women flown in a single space mission; Youngest person to go to space; First Olympian to go to space; First majority female spaceflight: The sixth and seventh Black women to go to space: Second person with Parkinson’s to go to space; Third oldest person to go to space __________________________________________________________________ As I reflected on Virgin Galactic's accolades, I picked up the phone and called my good friend in business, Virgin Galactic's, Michael Gardner, Specialist, Spaceships and Motherships | NDT/NDI Level III: MT, PT, RT, ET, UT, VT, AWS CWI | Former COO, Midgard Scientific | I expressed to him how proud I am to see Diversity Initiatives becoming more important to companies in today's emerging markets. He simply said, "We Are Literally Innovation." After our discussion, I thought about the key Pillar in Business that has always been the most important to me; Diversity Initiatives. I dedicating my career to challenge myself; and at the same time, honor my family who raised me to be Inclusive. THE KEY TAKEAWAY - If a company is truly committed to Diversity in the workspace, the rewards will be endless. Careers can now mature in relationship based environments, with people from all walks of life. *[AMAZING ARTICLE (BELOW), PLEASE CLICK THE LINK]*

"Life is all about perspective. The perspectives we hold—as individuals, as communities, as nations, as a species—dictate the decisions we make. Space for Humanity is dedicated to shifting perspectives for the better. I'm honored to have the opportunity to help this organization continue to reach for the stars and achieve its incredible mission." - Antonio Peronace We have some big news to share with you all! Antonio Peronace has joined Space for Humanity as our new Executive Director! 🚀 Antonio has nearly 20 years of experience in strategy, communication, and leadership across various sectors, including government, business, and global change. A first-generation American with dual citizenship, Antonio is dedicated to pursuing broad changes that benefit everyone on the planet. From working in local and state government to being named the first Creative Director in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Ultimately, it was Antonio’s compulsion to serve a greater good and passion for science that brought him to nonprofit work, as a consultant for The Planetary Society and Senior Director of Digital Influence for the Environmental Defense Fund, Antonio devoted himself to demystifying scientific data and conclusions while affecting policy reform on a global scale. Read his official bio on our website: https://lnkd.in/dmgauhkA Please join us in welcoming Antonio to our team and community in the comments. We are excited to get started as a team and continue in our pursuit to push the cause of Earth’s most tangible issues, such as climate change and access to education, through our Citizen Astronauts and the communities they lead. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new chapter going #2Space4Earth 🌎 Antonio Peronace SpaceNews #S4H #Space4Humanity #spaceforhumanity #2Space4Earth #tospaceforearth #OverviewEffect #theovervieweffect #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceIsForEveryone #CitizenAstronaut #CA #CAP #bignews

This is odd. A first for one of the most coveted jobs in the past. Feels like I am watching a “For All Mankind” episode. This is a great start and opportunity for them to open up the program to a larger pool of candidates. Fighter pilots were the first choice in the past, testmpilots a plus because the stress, danger and manual nature of the space travel was way greater. But #spacex “leave the driving to us” automation, know how and getbthe job done has outpaced even the most veteran NASA and aerospace industry alumni in this business. There are other up and coming startups as well contributing to safe, easy and now, comfortable travel to high earth orbit and beyond missions. Diversity in space of potential astranautsnis critical today and into thenfuture, not just the obvious, but even in experience.

#MondayMindset Now here's a woman to listen to! Mae Jemison - American engineer, physician, and former NASA astronaut - the first African-American woman to travel into space 🚀 Don't feel that you’re being heard? Need to learn how to make sure that you're contributing your thoughts and ideas? You CAN find the courage to lead positive change and our experts will show you how! 👥 bit.ly/FLFreeConsultation and let's get started. #flamingleadership #womeninspiringwomen #equalityinleadership #equityinleadership #genderequality #womensteppingup #allyshipinleadership #inclusioninleadership #equalityinleadership #womeninleadership #diversityinleadership

Recently, I had an enlightening conversation with a colleague who's rapidly becoming a close friend. We delved into what fuels our passion for projects that define our legacy. This discussion led to a moment of reflection on where my own drive originates. It brought me back to cherished rides in my father's pickup truck, where amidst the hum of the engine and the world passing by, he shared a simple yet profound piece of advice, "Do what makes you happy, Eric. You need to find joy in the career, work, and life you choose." These words have stayed with me, shaping my approach to life and work. My father's legacy is nothing short of remarkable. His dedication at L3 Harris led him to contribute to groundbreaking projects like the Mars Rovers and the Mars Orbiter for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Despite the challenges, his passion for his work was unwavering, driving him to exceed expectations and extend the Rovers' missions far beyond their intended lifespan. His commitment wasn't for accolades or financial gain but for the sheer love of exploration and innovation. This legacy often leads me to ponder, "How can I ever match up to such a monumental contribution to our understanding of the universe?" Yet, the realization dawns on me that perhaps it's not about comparison but about embodying the same passion and dedication in my endeavors. My drive, my energy, stems from a desire to make my father proud, to honor his principles by pursuing work that genuinely fulfills and excites me. In sharing this, I hope to ignite a spark in others to find their drive, their passion, that thing that makes the challenges worth facing and the journey rewarding. Let's strive to create legacies that resonate with our values and bring joy not just to us but to those who walk the paths we help pave. #Legacy #Passion #Drive #CareerInspiration #PersonalGrowth

💫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜'𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 ��𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫? 💫 The man guiding this journey is Mike Moses, the Space Missions and Safety President. 🚀 As the wheels of innovation continue to turn, commercial space operations are quickly moving from vision to reality. Mike Moses, with his extensive experience in the field, plays a significant role in transforming this aspiration into a success story. 👨🚀 His leadership has been instrumental in navigating the challenges inherent in space operations. Under his guidance, Virgin Galactic has made remarkable progress in an industry still in its infancy. But why does his input matter? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬: 1. Moses' expertise allows for the implementation of safety measures. 2. He contributes to procedural development. 3. He plays a crucial role in mission planning. These are all critical components in the journey to space. 🌌 So, what are your thoughts on the impact of leadership within the space industry? Do you think the success of a venture as ambitious as this can hinge on the leadership at the helm? Use these hashtags to join the conversation: #𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜 #𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 #𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 #𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 #𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 🌠 Ready to soar into the future of space exploration? Hit the "follow" button for more insights! 🔔

Texas A&M is the 2nd largest research institute in the country. Thousands of undergraduate and graduate students are doing research in a wide variety of fields. Just Google “Texas A&M research and the topic’s name” and you’ll almost always find an institute, center, lab, or professor(s) doing research in that area. See for yourself! For example, 30+ years ago, I did undergraduate research on NASA’s Space Shuttle hydrogen fuel pumps. The hands-on design and machine shop experience helped me develop the skills I needed to get my first job as a Product Engineer in a manufacturing facility for medical devices 30+ years ago. Yet another example of how Texas A&M develops leaders and well rounded individuals, not just outstanding academic students! #engineeringexcellence #engineeringeducation #engineeringrecruitment #engineeringrecruiter #recruiters #recruiter #recruitmentspecialist #recruitmentsolutions

Surgery in space? With the surgeon back on Earth? Right now, the world’s first miniaturized Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) System, MIRA, is on its way to the International Space Station to test this very concept. Developed by Virtual Incision, this is collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to conduct an experiment that will provide crucial insights into the potential of #RemoteSurgery. The cool part? My brother-in-law, Dmitry Oleynikov, is the Chief Surgeon at Virtual Incision (a side passion to his "day job" of being Chair Department of Surgery of Monmouth Medical Center). It's been amazing, awe-inspiring to watch his 17+ year journey with Virtual Incision and the team to get to this point. The future of minimal evasive surgery looks bright. #spacestation #surgery #doctor #outerspace #innovation #miniRAS https://lnkd.in/e-r9x-b4