From doubt to orbit: what it really takes to turn ambition into action, with astronaut Aisha Bowe

Former NASA rocket scientist, entrepreneur, and citizen astronaut Aisha Bowe has built a career defined by bold decisions—and even bolder execution. She’s also, as you’ll hear, not opposed to naming a few favourite [fictional] aliens along the way.

From discovering her passion for math in community college to working at NASA, founding two companies, raising venture capital in a system where fewer than 2% of women reach that threshold, and ultimately funding her own journey to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard, Aisha’s path is anything but conventional.

In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to bet on yourself. Aisha opens up about overcoming self-doubt, navigating environments where she wasn’t expected to succeed, and why she believes imposter syndrome is often misplaced. She shares her perspective on building companies with purpose, challenging broken systems—from venture capital to education—and creating access for the next generation through her edtech platform.

We also explore her journey to space—not just as a personal milestone, but as a mission to expand representation and visibility in STEM. For Aisha, space is not just about exploration; it’s about who gets to be seen there, and what that unlocks for others.

At the end of the episode, Selwa Rafi, founder of Canadian aerospace company KEPLR Intelligence, joins the conversation to bring a complementary perspective on leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future of the space industry.

A conversation about ambition, resilience—and yes, a few unexpected favourites from beyond our planet.

Today’s episode is part of a mini-series highlighting the journeys of inspiring women in engineering, presented by Gestion FÉRIQUE and Services d'investissement FÉRIQUE. Visit ferique.com for more!

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