From Girl Space Dreamers to Women Astronauts

At what age do many future astronauts first picture themselves exploring space? For NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch, that dream began when they were only five years old.

Meir still remembers a first-grade classroom activity where students were asked to draw what they wanted to become in the future. While many children chose familiar careers, Meir drew herself wearing an astronaut suit. Koch also remembers never being told that becoming an astronaut was impossible. She explained that because no one discouraged her dream, it continued to grow throughout her life.

Their childhood ambitions eventually became reality. Meir pursued a career as a marine biologist, while Koch became an electrical engineer. Years later, both women joined NASA as astronauts, and together they achieved a historic milestone by completing the first all-female spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) on October 18, 2019.

Preparing for a Historic Spacewalk

Before stepping outside the International Space Station, Koch and Meir had to solve an unexpected equipment challenge. Both astronauts needed spacesuits equipped with a medium-sized rigid upper body section, but only one suitable component was available aboard the station.

Many spacesuit parts had originally been designed for larger male astronauts. Wearing an incorrectly sized suit could make an extravehicular activity (EVA) more difficult and increase safety risks. To solve the problem, NASA sent another medium-sized torso component to the ISS aboard a cargo spacecraft.

When the day arrived for the two astronauts to put on their spacesuits and begin their mission outside the station, they understood the importance of the moment. Koch described the experience as deeply meaningful, especially when they realized that two female voices were communicating with Mission Control during a spacewalk for the first time in history. Working together in space represented an opportunity to inspire people around the world.

Two Decades of Human Life on the Space Station

November 2 marked the 20th anniversary of astronauts continuously living and working aboard the International Space Station. During those two decades, astronauts from many nations have completed thousands of experiments created by scientists, engineers, and students working in STEM fields.

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, a cancer researcher, is one example of someone whose interest in space began at a young age. She first imagined becoming an astronaut during a stargazing event when she was around five or six years old. Today, she works aboard the ISS with fellow astronauts and researchers on Earth to study how the human body changes during long periods in microgravity.

These investigations are becoming increasingly important as humans prepare for longer journeys beyond Earth.

Discovering Life Without Gravity

Living in space changes the way astronauts experience movement. After adapting to microgravity, astronauts no longer feel a difference between being upright or upside down. Floating becomes their natural way of moving, whether they are completing work tasks or enjoying leisure time.

Simple activities can become completely different in orbit. For example, kicking a soft soccer ball inside the station can easily turn into a floating flip through the air. Jessica Meir explained that the feeling of floating brings out the playful side of everyone, almost like returning to childhood.

Seeing Earth from Space

Looking down at Earth from the International Space Station gives astronauts a unique perspective on the planet. The station’s cupola observation area contains seven windows, including six surrounding windows and the largest space window ever built.

Traveling around Earth at approximately 17,500 miles per hour, astronauts experience about 16 sunrises and sunsets every day. Many astronauts describe Earth as glowing with extraordinary beauty.

Astronaut Nicole Stott once compared the view to the brightest light imaginable, painted with every color found on Earth and illuminated all at once.

A New Perspective on Our Planet

From the ISS, astronauts observe Earth’s incredible landscapes, including rivers, forests, deserts, oceans, and mountain ranges. They also witness powerful natural events such as hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires whose smoke can spread across continents.

These views often create a stronger connection to Earth and inspire astronauts to share their experiences with future generations. Jessica Meir believes that encouraging children to explore questions, think differently about the world, and follow their curiosity is one of the greatest rewards of space exploration.

Inspiring Future Space Explorers

Children everywhere can imagine themselves as astronauts, whether they are learning at school or exploring from home.

Students can experience views similar to those seen by astronauts by exploring collections of ISS photographs through educational programs such as Windows on Earth. They can also create astronaut letters or videos describing what life might be like aboard the space station.

Young space enthusiasts can even celebrate astronauts through space-themed activities, including making a space station pizza using tortillas as crusts. Tortillas are useful in space because they create fewer crumbs that could float around and interfere with equipment. Another fun activity is baking chocolate chip cookies, inspired by the first cookies tested in space. While cookies bake in under 20 minutes on Earth, they require about two hours in orbit.

Celebrating Women in Space and the Future of Exploration

On October 18, 2019, Christina Koch and Jessica Meir made history as the first all-woman spacewalking team, creating an important moment in both NASA and space exploration history.

The anniversary of astronauts living and working aboard the ISS celebrates two decades of cooperation, discovery, and innovation involving both women and men from around the world.

Through STEM education programs and partnerships with the ISS National Laboratory, NASA continues encouraging students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while inspiring the next generation of astronauts, researchers, and explorers.