The essence of innovation and ambition has continually embodied the American ethos, reaching remarkable heights during the exhilarating days of the space race in the 1950s and 1960s. This spirit remains vibrant; it has adapted alongside technological advancements and the skills of the nation’s most courageous and intelligent pioneers. Three former NASA astronauts recount their journeys through career shifts and share insights about the future of space exploration.
Jack D. Fischer
Senior Vice President of production and operations at Intuitive Machines, retired U.S. Air Force colonel
Fischer has always had an affinity for innovation, actively searching for what lies ahead and what is achievable. In 2019, his adventurous spirit drove him to join the U.S. Space Force, taking on the role of vice commander of its fighter wing after spending nearly a decade at NASA.
In February of last year, the ex-fighter pilot was part of a momentous team once again when Intuitive Machines, based in Houston, successfully landed the first U.S. spacecraft on the moon in over half a century.
Since 2021, Fischer has been with Intuitive Machines, where he perceives his current position as an ideal blend of his previous professional experiences. “I’m able to integrate every aspect of my identity and work towards making a significant impact and truly transforming the landscape of commercial space, particularly regarding the moon,” Fischer explains.
The objectives of Intuitive Machines with the Odysseus lander were achieved “in an environment of rapid innovation” supported by a relatively small workforce (around 200 individuals).
“We demonstrated that with minimal funding… and a great deal of creativity and dedication, you can challenge common beliefs and approach tasks differently,” Fischer states.
Fischer has overseen organizations with upwards of 8,000 personnel and assets valued over $100 billion. When leading a team through phases of swift innovation, his approach is straightforward: Fail quickly, progress confidently, and embrace experimentation.
This principle is vital for any team embarking on new initiatives. “Leadership is an ongoing process; it doesn’t stop,” Fischer emphasizes. “Strictly defined limits can’t exist because this terrain has never been explored before. It’s essential to cultivate an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect that encourages collective growth and a shared understanding of what ‘success’ looks like.”
Wendy B. Lawrence
Retired U.S. Navy captain and former helicopter pilot
Lawrence has consistently been a pioneer throughout her career, achieving numerous “firsts.” Notably, she became one of the first two female helicopter pilots to undertake an extended deployment to the Indian Ocean, as well as the first female Naval Academy graduate selected as an astronaut. She also took part in the inaugural return flight mission following the tragic 2003 space shuttle Columbia accident, where the spacecraft disintegrated during reentry.
However, she believes her most significant, transformative contributions occurred during her tenure as NASA’s director of operations for the Shuttle-Mir Program—an initiative that began in the mid-1990s as a collaborative effort between the U.S. and Russia. This program, focused on the Soviet-Russian Mir space station, laid the important groundwork for what would become the International Space Station.
“Prior to that, much of NASA’s achievements were fueled by a direct rivalry with the Soviet Union,” explains Lawrence. “For military personnel, especially during the ’60s, ’70s, and early ’80s, training was centered around potential conflict with the Soviets.”
Lawrence embraced the challenge, assisting in training Russian astronauts at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Facility in Star City, Russia, where she spent 16 months. She describes the experience as both “fascinating” and demanding, filled with a considerable amount of foundational work and education.
“Yet, the outcome has been remarkable, as it eventually led to the establishment of the International Space Station, where American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts have been collaborating in space for the past two decades,” Lawrence asserts.
While historians might concentrate on the groundbreaking science conducted on the International Space Station, Lawrence believes the most crucial achievement was the hard-won partnership among nations.
“[The space station] has shown that when countries across the globe—regardless of their political ideologies—choose collaboration, astonishing accomplishments are attainable,” she states.
Garrett Reisman
Senior adviser at SpaceX, professor, and technical consultant for Apple TV+ series For All Mankind
Reisman has accumulated 107 days in space, completed three spacewalks, and played a pivotal role in SpaceX’s missions to send humans beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Nevertheless, he grapples with a common but frustrating feeling: imposter syndrome.
This seems almost hilarious coming from someone who has appeared on The Colbert Report while aboard the International Space Station. Yet, the amiable Reisman is both modest and open about the transformative phases he has encountered throughout his illustrious career, which includes a transition from mechanical engineer to NASA astronaut, and subsequently from a SpaceX executive to a professor at the University of Southern California.
“I’ve made significant leaps that pushed me well outside my comfort zone,” admits Reisman, who has traveled aboard three different space shuttles. “With each transition, I must confess it was quite daunting. It’s not that I felt overly confident or arrogant about managing it without any negative consequences… Each experience was accompanied by intense feelings of imposter syndrome.”
However, for Reisman, the risks—and anxiety—were invariably justified by the outcomes since he always gravitated towards opportunities that sparked his enthusiasm. He has discovered that vibrant passion and resolute determination can effectively counteract feelings of inadequacy.
“Engage in endeavors for the excitement related to the mission,” suggests Reisman, who is also an aquanaut, having spent two weeks in a laboratory submerged under 60 feet of water. “When taking these significant leaps, pursue them because they resonate with your beliefs… That conviction will provide the necessary energy to persevere, as you’ll need a robust reservoir of determination to overcome any fears.”
The most pivotal phase of Reisman’s career occurred during his time at SpaceX, where he managed the interactions between NASA and SpaceX. When he joined the emerging company in 2010, its success was far from guaranteed. “However, I recognized the potential to completely transform the aerospace sector,” remarks Reisman.
He confronted an unprecedented and arduous task: aligning two organizations with markedly different cultures.
SpaceX regarded NASA as outdated, while NASA had perceptions of SpaceX as a reckless, fast-paced startup from Silicon Valley. “The tension was palpable,” Reisman reflects. “Facilitating cooperation between them entailed considerable effort. Ultimately, though, it proved beneficial for both parties.”
Reisman’s contributions were instrumental in SpaceX’s successful launches of the Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket.
The collaboration allowed SpaceX to enhance its reliability, gaining insights into the importance of established processes to mitigate errors in high-stakes scenarios. Conversely, NASA stepped outside its historically risk-averse comfort zone, shaped in part by the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia accidents. “Following each incident, NASA became progressively more cautious, while SpaceX invigorated them to transition back towards cutting-edge practices.”
Exploring the Final Frontier
The specialists provide their insights on the future of space exploration and human spaceflight.
Commercial space flight
The influence of commercial enterprises will persist, according to Wendy B. Lawrence. However, they face the challenge of developing a sustainable business model. “For companies involved in low Earth orbit flights, how frequently will people desire to go on a suborbital journey?” she questions.
Nevertheless, she views the competition as constructive, provided it’s approached correctly. “It’s excellent that commercial entities are acquiring these capabilities, as it will present NASA with additional avenues for future missions,” she states.
Getting back to the moon
Commercial space endeavors have produced innovative revenue streams, accelerating the potential for lunar expeditions. This is a critical milestone since, in addition to plentiful resources, achieving a lunar landing provides “an opportunity to draft a blueprint for adapting to new environments, which is essential for our objectives regarding Mars and beyond,” Fischer elaborates.
Destination: Mars
According to Garrett Reisman, Mars’ resources make it “the sole location in our solar system, aside from Earth, where humanity could potentially establish a self-sustaining presence.”
However, colonizing Mars fundamentally ties into “the survival of our species,” Reisman emphasizes, suggesting it could serve as a viable alternative to Earth. “We’re doing quite well at transforming Earth from a place that is ideally suited for human existence to one that poses a challenge for life. If we don’t halt that progression and devise ways to reverse it, we’re heading for serious trouble.”
So, what opportunities lie in store for space exploration?
“All of them do,” Fischer asserts. “This journey of exploration, the advancement of technology, and our evolution as a species is unprecedented in history, and I eagerly anticipate the limitless possibilities that await us.”
