When I Met Jessica Watkins, the Newest Recruited Nasa Astronaut

Heya everyone, so I read about the Interview of Jessica Watkins written by Swapna Krishna who is currently working as a contributor writing for many renowned websites. I couldn’t resist writing and sharing with you guys, some of the excerpts from the interview.

When I Met Jessica Watkins, the Newest Recruited Nasa Astronaut

Jessica Watkins is one of the lucky and yes hard-working candidates who got selected to be part of the NASA group for the class 2017 batch. There were among 18,000+ applicants for the job and after tough filtering and tests – the count was brought down to just 12! A team of 12 member – 7 men and 5 women bunch of geeks from a variety of fields joined together made the 2017 batch.

Jessica Watkins

Jessica was asked her thoughts on the diversity of the people working at NASA, and the racial diversity.

That’s what NASA is all about, it is a place with some amazing bunch of people belonging to a variety of fields, working together. Looking at the new class 2017 batch itself says a lot on the diversity, and it’s going to be more amazing!

Swapna asked Jessica on her life and experience as a geologist, on which the answer was like

She always wanted to be an astronaut from childhood itself, and she went to Stanford University and was studying the Mechanical Engineer Majors, as she thought that was necessary to study space. But later she dropped out from the field and opted for the geology and she knew that was the right choice.

On asking to give any advice to the young girls who dream to be at the STEM,

That persistence is important. Also having a mentor with you who pushed you and guides you with the process is a must. Guidance with the persistence goes a long way.

What was her work with the Mars Curiosity Rover?

In this process, by the half day, we do the complete planning of what the rover will do the next day. While the second half of the day is spent analysing the data that has been received from the Mars.

It was great reading through the short interview, and guys you must check it out too.

Jessica is indeed a positive soul and a bundle of inspiration for us! 

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