Recorded in 2023 the 3x Shuttle Astronaut, First American woman to walk in space and Fmr. NOAA Administrator Dr Kathy Sullivan spoke with NASA Astronaut Christina Koch soon to be the first woman to orbit the Moon on Artemis 2, for a one-of-a-kind conversation spanning generations.

Together, they explored the evolution of space exploration: contrasting their moments of selection, training, early inspirations, and the ongoing journey toward greater diversity in the astronaut corps.

From reflections on those historic "one small step" days to the excitement and uncertainties surrounding humanity’s return to deep space.

With personal stories and practical wisdom you'll hear about what has changed, and what hasn’t, for women and underrepresented voices in space.

Sullivan and Koch discuss the skills and mindsets future explorers will need, and unpack how Artemis astronauts are laying the foundation for a new era of human spaceflight.

Whether you dream of spacewalks, or are simply fascinated by the people making the cosmos a little more accessible, this episode sets the stage for an inspiring season ahead.

• Episode produced by Toby Goodman for Inter Astra, The Charles F Bolden Group and Dr Kathy Sullivan.

00:00 Processing life-changing news

05:36 Training cycles and international missions

09:06 Pursuing passions over checklists

12:34 Passion for exploring Antarctica

13:15 Starting the astronaut interview process

18:53 Pursuing challenges and supporting others

21:20 Preparing for Artemis missions

23:37 Joining a seasoned mission team

28:12 Family involvement in space missions

30:20 Team meetings and collaboration

33:28 Testing Artemis mission docking systems

38:22 The rise of commercial spaceflight

40:09 Commercial lunar missions and NASA's role

45:03 Expanding global astronaut representation

48:41 The importance of the Artemis Accords

51:33 NASA's new spacewalking suit

53:24 Christina Koch and Artemis 2

Charles Frank Bolden Jr. is a retired US Marine Corps Major General and former NASA astronaut. After flying on four space shuttle missions—STS-61-C, STS-31, STS-45, and STS-60—Charlie was appointed by former President, Barack Obama, to serve as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017, making him the first African American to head the agency permanently. Today, Charlie is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity.

Charlie joins me today to discuss the qualities aspiring astronauts need to cultivate to be chosen for modern space programs. You’ll hear about his career at NASA and the characteristics he thinks made him a NASA astronaut. He explores how the dawn of the new space age may change selection preferences for would-be astronauts. You’ll also learn the value of being a team player and why being a jack-of-all-trades is essential to becoming an astronaut of today and tomorrow.

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

● Qualities and characteristics NASA looked for in astronaut candidates in the 1980s

● Civil rights in the 1980s and the psychological implications of growing up in the segregated South

● Why being a team player is a high-value trait for NASA astronauts

● Diversity as a trait of a high-performing organization

● Why being a good fighter pilot doesn’t necessarily mean being a great astronaut

● The lack of diversity in NASA’s Apollo era and how astronaut selection preferences have changed since

● How the dawn of commercial spaceflight is changing preferences for would-be astronauts

● How commercial spacecraft may change the employment prospects of future astronauts

● The kind of crew NASA may seek for the Artemis program and beyond

● Jessica Watkins, Kate Rubins, Peggy Whitson, and why researchers may be the astronauts of the future

● Ridley Scott’s The Martian and what it takes to be a modern-day astronaut

Resources Mentioned:

● Book: Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut by Mike Mullane

Our Favorite Quotes:

● “A great test pilot isn’t necessarily going to be a great astronaut; a great test pilot with a big ego is going to be a lousy astronaut.” - Charlie Bolden

● “The astronauts of today and tomorrow are not going to have the opportunity to train over and over again on something because they’ll find that every day is something new.” - Charlie Bolden

Connect with Charlie Bolden:

• Inter Astra

•

Charles F. Bolden Jr. is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity. Appointed by the former president, Barack Obama, Charlie served as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017, making him the first African American to hold the position permanently. Charlie is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General and former astronaut who has flown on four Space Shuttle missions.

Charlie speaks with Kathy about his perspective on NASA’s transition from space shuttle operations to commercial space flight. You’ll gain insight into the real inside workings of Washington, DC, as well as his journey to becoming the 12th Administrator of NASA. Charlie also discusses what the future holds for space commerce and exploration, and the surprising who he'd like to take to space.

“OUR PURPOSE IS TO MAKE THE EARTH A BETTER, MORE SUSTAINABLE PLACE. I THINK WE’RE UP TO THE CHALLENGE.”

- CHARLIE BOLDEN

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

• Charlie’s last shuttle flight and the formation of the new space age

• NASA’s state of play and Charlie’s road to Washington DC

• His first experience with the National Space Council

• The time Charlie had to convince the Congressional Black Caucus of the need for a space station

• What working with Russian cosmonauts taught Charlie

• My experience interacting with Soviet astronauts and cosmonauts

• Charlie’s meeting with the former president, Barack Obama, and his nomination to NASA

• The birth of the SLS, Orion, and commercial crew and cargo

• Why NASA will remain the leader and catalyst for discovery

• The advantages of developing a vibrant commercial space sector

• The James Webb Space Telescope and what gives Charlie hope for the future

Our Favorite Quotes:

“EVERY CREW BECOMES A FAMILY.”

- CHARLIE BOLDEN

“STUDY HARD, WORK HARD, AND NEVER BE AFRAID OF FAILURE. LISTEN RESPECTFULLY TO YOUR PARENTS, BUT FOLLOW YOUR PASSION BECAUSE IT’S YOUR LIFE.”

- CHARLIE BOLDEN

Connect with Charlie Bolden:

• Inter Astra

• Inter Astra on LinkedIn

• The Charles F. Bolden Group

• The Charles F. Bolden Group on LinkedIn

• The Charles F. Bolden Group on YouTube

• Charlie Bolden on LinkedIn

Credits:

Executive Producer: Toby Goodman

Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner

Production by CxS Partners LTD

I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the...