Students in Thomas Harper's eighth-grade science class recently participated in a Zoom call with Mr. Harper's daughter and son-in-law, Melody and Robert McBride, who both work in the space industry in California.  Melody works for Varda Space Industries as the head of Human Resources, and discussed the many career opportunities available through Varda.  Not only are jobs available in the areas of science and space technology, but in fields that you might not think about, such as the medical field, to be able to have a medical team on space missions, seamstresses to sew spacesuits, and even welders to help build satellites and rockets.  

Robert works in software at SpaceX, and is currently working on Starlink, a program that is launching satellites into space to provide Internet service globally, especially to rural areas. Robert told of how having internet access is life-changing for many people in remote areas, such as rural Alaska, where students are now able to learn online, and have lines of communication in case of an emergency.

 Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) was founded by Elon Musk in 2002, and designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.  Not only is SpaceX focusing on Starlink to provide internet service, but the ultimate goal of SpaceX is to reduce space transportation costs to eventually enable the colonization of Mars.

 Varda Space Industries is building the world's first commercial zero-gravity industrial park in space.  Varda is looking to establish the first manufacturing facility operable in space as early as 2023.  By doing so, they hope to bring back to Earth advanced products that can only be made under sustained periods of zero gravity.

 Along with learning about this amazing technology and monumental goals of these two companies, students asked questions throughout the session, learning more about space travel and career opportunities available in the field of space exploration and aerospace engineering.  Melody left students with the following encouragement, “As someone who grew up in a rural area, the sky is the limit! You can do whatever you want to do; I’m a testament to that. Never put parameters on what you think you can do.”