Chasing Space on Earth: Dr. Sian Proctor

Ever dreamed of going to space? Analog astronaut and geoscientist Dr. Sian Proctor shares how she lives out her childhood dream of space exploration here on earth. We talked to Sian just a week after Sensoria, a first of its kind, all-women’s Mars simulation at the HI-SEAS habitat on the Big Island of Hawaii. 

In this episode, we learn how proudly pursuing your passions (in the outdoors and otherwise) helps open up opportunity. Sian followed her curiosity scuba diving, getting her pilot’s license, traveling around the world, and studying science. While not the end goal, all helped her in applying to be an astronaut with NASA. And though she didn’t get the final call, she’s kept herself open to analog space exploration on Earth. We hear how preparing for life in space encourages us to be better environmental stewards and fellow humans on our home planet.

Featured in this episode: Dr. Sian Proctor

Hosted by Gale Straub

A production of Ravel Media

Sponsored by Victorinox Swiss Army, and Alpenventures Unguided.

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In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Sian became an analog astronautWhy going on a backpacking trip is a mini-analog space expedition!What Sian hopes to accomplish before age 50Sensoria, an all-women’s Mars simulation which Sian completed at the end of JanuaryWhy Sian believes diversity must be considered when training and sending people to spaceHow as an African American scientist, Sian hopes to bring in more women of color to to space explorationThe importance of proudly pursuing your passions throughout your lifeWhy investing in space is an investment in planet Earth

Resources

Dr. Sian Proctor: Website, Instagram, Facebook, and TwitterFlight Ready Systems: WebsiteAnalog Astronaut: WebsiteSensoriaProject PoSSUMShe Explores Landing PageRavel Media

Sponsors and Discount Codes

Victorinox Swiss Army Learn more at Victorinox.com and use code EXPLORE15 to save 15% now through April 6th,, 2020  Some exclusions apply.Alpenventures Unguided: Learn more at alpenventuresunguided.com. Use code EXPLORE at checkout for 10% off a summer alp adventure.

Music in this episode is by Meydan, Josh Woodward, Swelling, and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons attribution license.

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