A panel of influential women from the aerospace industry gathered recently to discuss their journeys and the future of space technology. The event, titled “Women Redefining Tech and Space,” featured executives from Varda Space Industries, Millennium Space Systems, and Hydroplane Ltd. The conversation highlighted the significant contributions women are making in sectors traditionally dominated by men.
Moderated by Dr. Anita Sengupta, a rocket scientist and CEO of Hydroplane, the panel included insights from Wendy Shimata, Vice President of Autonomous Systems at Varda, and Melanie Pittaluga, Director of Marketing and Communications at Millennium Space Systems. Their dialogue focused on the growth of the space industry and the unique challenges women face in these fields.
Pittaluga shared her unconventional career path, illustrating how her initial ambition to be a fashion designer shifted dramatically. “In college, I studied business and textile management,” she explained. “But a course with a retired NASA astronaut opened my eyes to aerospace. I applied for an internship with NASA, which led me to the intelligence community and eventually to my role at Millennium.”
Shimata echoed similar sentiments about her early fascination with space. “I was the only female in my applied physics major,” she noted, reflecting on her time as a robotics team member in high school. She transitioned from being a guidance engineer for Hughes Space and Communications to leading software for SpaceX’s Dragon 2 program. Her work with Varda Space Industries has been equally groundbreaking, culminating in the successful reentry of their first commercial spacecraft.
Both women emphasized the importance of storytelling in inspiring future generations. Pittaluga stated, “By sharing our stories, we can help inspire others. There could be a fashionista in the audience thinking about aerospace.” She also highlighted the community-building efforts at Millennium, which includes initiatives like “Supporting Women in Millennium,” aimed at fostering a supportive environment for women in STEM fields.
Shimata offered advice for women feeling out of place in technical environments. “You have to force yourself to show up,” she said. “Building trust and credibility takes time, but it pays off.”
Dr. Sengupta, who has been at the forefront of aerospace innovation for over two decades, discussed her motivation for founding Hydroplane. “There are very few women starting aerospace companies,” she mentioned. “We are part of the solution, and this applies beyond aerospace.”
The discussion also touched on the evolving landscape of space technology. Shimata pointed out that as the costs of space launches decrease, new opportunities arise. “We’re now able to explore what can be enabled with easier access to space,” she explained, referring to their recent project involving pharmaceutical manufacturing in orbit.
Pittaluga reflected on her experiences in the intelligence community, where she honed her ability to synthesize complex information quickly. “I learned to digest information and deliver it effectively to decision-makers,” she said, underscoring the importance of communication in technical fields.
As the panel wrapped up, both Shimata and Pittaluga reiterated the need for perseverance in STEM careers. “It’s exceedingly difficult, but it gets easier over time,” Shimata stated. “We need to appreciate ideas for what they are, without focusing on gender differences.”
The discussion served not only to highlight the achievements of these women but also to inspire the next generation of leaders in the aerospace and technology sectors. Their stories are a testament to the transformative impact women are having on industries that continue to evolve at a rapid pace.
