Former NASA rocket scientist and future Blue Origin astronaut, Aisha Bowe, continues to break barriers, earning international recognition for her contributions to STEM and space exploration.
On February 11, Bowe was honored at the United Nations for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a milestone achievement in her remarkable career.
Bowe, a Bahamian-American aerospace engineer and tech entrepreneur, shared her journey on social media, reflecting on how she defied expectations after being told she wasn’t “smart enough” for STEM.
“They told me I wasn’t smart enough for STEM. Now, I’m being recognized at the UN. When young girls see someone who looks like them in tech, business, and spaceflight, they realize the sky isn’t the limit—it’s just the beginning,” Bowe wrote in an Instagram post.
Bowe Appointed Bahamas’ Aerospace Consultant Amid SpaceX Partnership
As Bowe prepares for her historic Blue Origin spaceflight, she is also taking on a new leadership role. The Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas announced on Feb. 7 that Bowe has been retained as an official aerospace consultant to the government, guiding its collaboration with SpaceX and the launch of Falcon 9 on February 17.
This appointment follows the historic Letter of Agreement (LOA) between The Bahamas and SpaceX, positioning the country as a global hub for booster landings and rocket launches.
“Aisha Bowe’s extensive experience—as a former NASA rocket scientist, tech entrepreneur, and the first Bahamian set to travel to space—makes her uniquely qualified to provide strategic guidance in this transformative partnership,” the statement read.
Bowe’s expertise in space systems engineering will play a critical role in shaping The Bahamas’ aerospace sector, an industry poised for innovation, education, and economic growth.
From Community College to Spaceflight: A Trailblazing Career
Bowe’s path to space has been defined by resilience and groundbreaking achievements. Once encouraged to become a cosmetologist rather than pursue engineering, she charted her own course—starting at community college before earning a B.S.E in Aerospace Engineering and an M.Eng. in Space Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan.
She later became a NASA rocket scientist, founded STEMBoard, and bootstrapped a multimillion-dollar tech company—recognized twice by Inc. 5000 as one of America’s fastest-growing businesses. In addition to her work in aerospace, Bowe has empowered over 10,000 students through her STEM education initiatives.
Now, as she prepares to become the sixth Black woman in history to cross the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space—Bowe’s influence continues to expand on a global scale.
A Rising Leader in Space Exploration
With her UN recognition, new role as an aerospace consultant, and upcoming spaceflight, Bowe is cementing her place as a trailblazer in science, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Her work is not only shaping the future of space travel but also inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and leaders.
