Space Science Advice from Bethany Downer, Scientist-Astronaut Candidate

In this blog post, I discuss with Bethany Downer her work as a space science communicator and her next steps as a scientist-astronaut candidate for project POSSUM. I asked her about her work, what she loves and its greatest challenges, advice for individuals thinking about the space industry, and advice she wishes she had when she was younger. This is a must-read, providing exciting insight on going from a degree in Geography to pursuing work in the space industry.

"It's my goal to bring space down to Earth (pun intended), so when I see that even one child or adult has taken away something about the value of space exploration or space science, I'm excited."

Let's begin...

Sometimes you finish your degree, and you think, well what am I supposed to do with this now? How is this applicable to the world outside of the classroom? To combat this uncertainty, I decided to talk to an alumnus of the Geography department at Memorial University, Bethany Downer. After graduating with a BSc in Geography, Bethany pursued a very different path from many of her other classmates. Bethany had a dream of working in the space industry and has been actively pursuing that dream. She has experience within the Space Generation Advisory Council for the United Nations Programme on Space Applications and the European Space Agency in areas of communications, outreach, and education. Bethany has also started her own communications platform called “Reaching Space Science” which communicates technology and science of the space industry to the general public. Most recently, she was chosen to become a Scientist-Astronaut candidate with the project POSSUM. In this blog post, I discussed with Bethany her experience of breaking into the field of space science communication as well as being chosen as a Scientist-Astronaut Candidate.

Bethany's Work

With “Reaching Space Science”, Bethany communicates the technology and science of the space industry. She is self-employed and therefore, acts as a freelancer that is hired by space agencies, companies, and universities to make learning about space topics more accessible. Her personal motivation for creating the company stemmed from hearing about people “who are interested in space and STEM subjects but feel it is beyond their reach or understanding (hence the perception around the term ‘rocket science’) – [her] goal is to change this perception”. To do this, Bethany will “take something like a new finding in astrophysics or the creation of a new astronomy exhibition, or the development of a new rocket engine concept, and bring its language and content to a simpler and more accessible level.”. By doing this, she says that she is able to continue her enjoyment for outreach for the space industry, “as there is nothing more motivating than to educate and excite people of all ages about space”. Bethany believes that it is important that we share the reason behind developing new forms of technology and/or why new space science is of integral value. Therefore, it is important to communicate space science not only due to its complex nature but because “its findings and advances have profound effects for all humankind” and they also require funding.

How did she build her company "Reaching Space Scince"?

So far, Bethany says that the building of Reaching Space Science has primarily been an individual effort. Bethany suggests, “[her] comfort of going through this process came from [her] founding of a non-profit while [she] was completing [her] BSc at Memorial University, Canada” (click here to see an article about that project). This project was incorporated by the Canadian federal government, and “aimed to promote sustainable consumerism by holding shoe drives across the country. She said that “We ended up redistributing nearly 20,000 shoes to 18 countries worldwide, thanks to the help of hundreds of volunteers and many meaningful partnerships”. Bethany indicates that this experience developed her leadership and communication skills which she still uses today in her positions and in other aspects. Although Bethany has created two self-starting initiatives, she stresses that it is “big work, demanding, but so much more rewarding than [she] could have expected”. She suggests that a substantial part of the program’s success is due to her supportive network which helped her in many ways, and not only through funding.

Her next step?

Bethany has also been recently selected as a scientist-astronaut candidate under project POSSUM, “which will train [her] to fly to space in the next age of suborbital space vehicles”. While she is completing her training, she aims to communicate her work and progress openly. “I'm in the process of writing and publishing a book, so this is one of the mediums I hope to use to do this.”

What do you love and what are the challenges of her work?

Bethany is passionate about science communication and here are some of the aspects she shared with me that she loves:

1. Educating people about space

Bethany says that she loves to teach people about space because of “seeing their faces light up when they learn about how space technology impacts most Earth-based sectors and technologies, or the impact of a new astronomical discovery. It's my goal to bring space down to Earth (pun intended), so when I see that even one child or adult has taken away something about the value of space exploration or space science, I'm excited.”

2. New media presence

Bethany hints that it has been a bit of surprise to experience some degree of media attention. She has experienced a growing social media following over the last year, particularly on Instagram which she now uses as a platform to communicate space findings and facts. Further, after the news of her scientist-astronaut selection, she says that “it has been both exciting and strange to be recognized in public”. Although it has come as a surprise, she says that she loves that this allows her to connect to new people, “and to hopefully inspire a new generation of kids who want to reach for abstract professions (as I once did).”

Her greatest challenges:

1. Varying degrees of sexism & ageism

Bethany says that “[she] was both surprised and (initially) discouraged by varying degrees of sexism that [she] experienced since moving away. There is not sufficient representation of women in STEM roles, particularly in the space sector as it is generally a high-skill profession and industry, so it was startling to realize how there aren't yet enough women in leadership roles”. However, she says that her “discouragement was quickly flipped when [she] spoke with and was exposed to the vast work and accomplishments being undertaken by the countless women worldwide who also want to change this”. Bethany also discussed with me that she has experienced ageism where she has “been turned away from jobs based on age”. She has learned over time that “proper employees and colleagues that [she] ultimately wants to work with are those that judge [her] value based on skill and experience”.

2. Far from home

Bethany says that the biggest challenge she has encountered, however, has been that her work has taken her far from home and that “[she] will likely be living away for the foreseeable future”. Growing up in Newfoundland, Canada, Bethany says that when she is home to see her family and friends that she is “sure to make the most of [her] visits”.

Although Bethany has experienced many challenges on her journey to where she is now. She says that “in the end, I’ve ended up where I should be”.

What piece of advice would you give something who is interested in space?

1. Find a subject you love & then integrate it into a space-specific profession

Bethany tries to “advocate that the space industry requires those of all disciplines – everything from engineers, scientists, economists, doctors, lawyers, teachers, you name it”. She indicates that if your end goal is to work within the space industry, “then find a subject that you’re passionate about and then integrate this into a space-specific profession”.

2. Get involved with new start-ups

Bethany advises that with the growth in the “new space” scene, especially within the commercial and private companies, “there are many start-ups that are welcoming new talent as they are young and upcoming themselves.”

3. Meaningfully network & make connections

Like in all professions, it is always essential to meaningfully network and make connections. Bethany advises that “sometimes jobs aren’t always publicly advertised, and it can be of value to know the right people”.

4. Travel

Bethany also encourages people to travel and get out of their comfort zone. She says that “this is the best way to broaden your wealth of knowledge, exposure and experience”.

If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice to help with your career ambitions what would it be? 

1. Embrace failures or setbacks

Bethany says that whether you experience failures or delays due to “lost awards, scholarships, failed relationships, academic rejections; anything”, you should embrace them. Every single setback provides you with opportunities to grow. She says that “I wouldn't be where I am now without each of such setbacks, because they instead lead me to alternative opportunities that put me on the path to where I am now.”

2. Remember that milestones are achievements

Bethany advises that although the end goal is great, it is essential to focus on your milestones that are accomplished along the way. She says that “while astronaut selection was always a dream (which has somehow taken a big leap with my recent selection), I'm glad I never turned down opportunities that didn't relate directly to space (such as the One Step initiative, research experience in Alaska while at MUN for example, and presenting my work in Kenya), because each experience or adventure was still on the path itself. It's amazing how everything has come together and proved relevant. There is no wasted knowledge or experience.”

If you are interested in supporting a Women in Science as Bethany completes a new milestone, she has a GoFundMe started to help with her next steps as a scientist-astronaut.-> Click here to go to her GoFundMe Page <-

“While many costs of this training are covered, Bethany must still incur some costs for the program and transportation to Florida. Any leftover donations will be put towards the development of an education program and talk tour across Newfoundland and other space outreach activities for the province. Any and all donations are sincerely appreciated. Bethany also wishes to send a hand-written postcard from NASA to all those who donate. For those interested in receiving a written postcard, please provide your address using this Google form.”

Would you like to know more about Bethany Downer? She just received the 2018 Horizon Award from Memorial University and in this article you can find more information about her experience pursuing her dream to be an astronaut (CLICK HERE).

Acknowledgements

I want to thank Bethany so much for taking the time to answer all of these questions and sending in her photos. Her answers were very thoughtful and helpful for anyone considering the space industry or even anyone needing encouragement to pursue something outside of the norm of their degree!