Katrina Carter-Journet-Guiding and Growing Together: Inspiring the Next Generation in Space
Katrina Carter-Journet is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana/ Katrina has a BS in Physics (concentration in mathematics) from Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, LA). She has a MS in Biophysics (focus in biomedical engineering) from Cornell University (Ithaca, NY). Katrina has worked in multiple industries ranging from Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Aerospace, to Oil & Gas.
However, her passion has always been aerospace. Katrina began her professional career studying gravitational-wave astrophysics at the LIGO Livingston-Observatory, part of a joint project between Caltech and MIT. Drawn by the idea that the Earth is just one glorious piece of the universe, she eventually transitioned her interest to human space exploration by supporting various projects and programs at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Katrina contributed to Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) analyses for the Space Shuttle Program, Probabilistic Risk Assessments (PRA) for the International Space Station, and supported R&M for new Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) designs for future missions back to the moon and beyond.
That same desire to continue to see the evolution of human space exploration led her to accept an amazing opportunity to work at Virgin Galactic as an Engineering Specialist supporting R&M. Katrina was also an active member of Virgin Galactic’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) outreach initiative, Galactic Unite, and one of the Coordinators for the Galactic Unite Black Leaders in Aerospace Scholarship & Training (BLAST) Program.
Whether mentoring college students or doing workshops for children of all ages, Katrina wants to share what she has learned along the way. Katrina wants students to see that diversity in STEM fields and show them that they can chart a pathway for success in multiple industries. She makes sure to encourage all students to shine and to soar to greater heights.
Katrina continued her commitment to space exploration by working at Blue Origin and embracing the company vision of “For the Benefit of Earth.” The concept of millions of people working and living in space, harnessing the limitless resources of space, and working on innovative ways to preserve our pale blue dot inspires her. In this next phase of Katrina’s career, she is excited to continue the transformative journey of a lifetime at Vast by developing the next space station for government and public use.
Her new children’s book “Let’s Chase the Moon” was inspired by her son’s journey with ADHD and the realization that there were few, if any, children’s books that presented ADHD as a superpower—a unique way of thinking rather than something that needed to be “fixed.” It is receiving rave reviews.
You can meet Katrina in person at the Cerritos Library on March 13 at 3:45pm.
https://library.cerritos.gov/parsers/events/
You’ve had a successful career in Aerospace. What has fascinated you about aerospace?
My career in aerospace was not something I initially planned, but it evolved naturally from my deep love of science and exploration. I earned my B.S. in Physics from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and my M.S. in Biophysics from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering.
When I was preparing to enter college, my intended major was Biology because I wanted to become a pediatrician. However, after speaking with Dr. Diola Bagayoko, a brilliant physicist and mentor, I changed course. He recognized my strengths and encouraged me to major in Physics instead. I began my undergraduate studies as a pre-med Physics major, still completing all of the requirements to take the MCAT and pursue medical school. But while I appreciated biology and medicine, what truly moved me was the idea of discovery and exploration.
After graduate school, I took a short break to reflect and taught high school as a substitute teacher. I wanted to help students connect to science in a way that felt accessible and exciting while I figured out what was next for me. Eventually, I joined the LIGO Livingston Observatory in Louisiana, a joint research program between Caltech and MIT studying gravitational waves. That work deepened my fascination with the universe and the beauty of unseen forces shaping our world.
Later, I transitioned into biomedical research at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, where I worked in biomedical engineering. Those experiences taught me that you can be skilled in many areas, but skill alone does not equal purpose. I realized that I wanted more than a job. I wanted to create, to explore, and to be inspired by what I did every day.
That clarity led me to apply for aerospace positions, and that’s when I began my career at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, supporting the Space Shuttle Program as a Reliability and Maintainability Analyst. From the first day, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Space has always fascinated me. I grew up inspired by Star Trek, Star Wars, and the wonder of the unknown. I vividly remember watching Dr. Mae Jemison make history as the first Black woman to travel into space. That moment left an imprint on me—it was proof that what we dream, we can achieve.
Physics opened doors I never imagined. It taught me how to think critically, persevere through challenges, and view problems from multiple angles. The field itself is humbling and limitless. Through it, I discovered that you can pursue anything when you understand the fundamentals of how the world works. For me, aerospace became not just a career, but an extension of the curiosity that has always lived inside me.
You have contributed to some of the world’s most iconic space programs. What have been your greatest achievements?
Working on the Space Shuttle Program was an incredible experience. I joined when there were only seven flights remaining. The environment was collaborative and deeply purposeful. Contractors and civil servants worked side by side, learning from one another and sharing knowledge freely.
I contributed Reliability and Maintainability analyses for the Shuttle and later performed Probabilistic Risk Assessments for the International Space Station. I also supported Reliability and Maintainability for new Extravehicular Mobility Unit (spacesuit) designs for future lunar missions.
Beyond the technical work, I’m most proud of the culture of mentorship, inclusion, and learning that surrounded those experiences. The people I worked with were dedicated, humble, and focused on excellence. Those experiences helped me grow, not just as a physicist, but as a person who understands that exploration is both external and internal.
How are you blending STEM, Self-Discovery, and Art?
STEM, self-discovery, and art are deeply interconnected. STEM encourages problem-solving, logic, and innovation. Self-discovery helps us align our purpose and values. Art gives life, texture, and expression to what we imagine. You cannot design what you cannot first envision, and imagination is an art.
Throughout my career, I’ve blended all three by mentoring, teaching, and creating spaces where creativity is honored as much as logic. Through speaking engagements, creative projects, and educational collaborations, I help youth explore who they are and how their gifts connect to science, creativity, and leadership. STEM is not just about equations. It’s about curiosity, courage, and vision.
You have utilized your expertise to guide and shape STEM/STEAM educational programs for underrepresented youth. Share your initiatives.
I support nonprofit and community-based initiatives that focus on empowering underrepresented youth through STEM and leadership development. Whether as a speaker, volunteer, or event curator, my goal is always to connect science with purpose and possibility.
I speak to students about curiosity, confidence, and perseverance. I often reference Chadwick Boseman’s Howard University commencement speech on purpose and Carl Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot” as reminders of perspective. Astronauts call it the “overview effect,” the realization that Earth is small, precious, and interconnected.
When I work with youth, I make it a point to put children in front of professionals from many backgrounds—artists, scientists, musicians, and more—because I believe in broad exposure. They can be of any nationality or ethnicity, but I’m intentional about ensuring that students also see people who look like them, who share some of their experiences, and who reflect what’s possible. Representation builds confidence and connection, but variety expands imagination. Together, those two things create the foundation for belonging and growth.
Why is STEM so important for the youth?
STEM is important because it teaches young people how to think, not what to think. It builds problem-solving skills, creativity, and confidence. It also provides access—access to opportunity, to innovation, and to global conversations about the future.
When youth see themselves represented in science, engineering, and technology, they realize they belong there too. STEM opens doors to economic empowerment, leadership, and social change. For underrepresented youth especially, it says, “You have a seat at the table, and your ideas matter.”
Tell us about your new children’s book, “Let’s Chase the Moon.”
Let’s Chase the Moon was inspired by my son’s journey with ADHD and the realization that there were few, if any, children’s books that presented ADHD as a superpower—a unique way of thinking rather than something that needed to be “fixed.” Many books emphasized “pause and think before you act,” which is important, but they rarely celebrated the imagination, brilliance, and creativity that often accompany neurodiversity.
The title comes from real moments with my children—my daughter, who’s now eighteen, and my son, who’s fourteen. When he was younger, we would often spot a giant harvest moon and decide to chase it. We’d get in the car, laughing, talking, taking pictures, and driving as if we could somehow reach it. Of course, you never can, but the beauty of those drives wasn’t in getting there; it was in the joy, curiosity, and conversation along the way.
The book is dedicated to both of them. It reflects the dynamic between siblings—one navigating ADHD and the other learning to understand what it’s like to share space, love, and attention with someone whose energy is boundless. It also reflects our family—a Black family where the mother happens to be a rocket scientist, where art, music, ballet, and STEM coexist harmoniously, and where exploration extends beyond science to civil rights, identity, and empathy.
At its heart, Let’s Chase the Moon is about space as a metaphor for growth—the beauty of individuality, the gravity of family connection, and the vastness of understanding one another. It’s also a visual celebration of style and representation. There’s a subtle message throughout the book that being a scientist or physicist doesn’t mean you have to abandon beauty or femininity. The mother character wears vibrant clothes—hot pink suits, bold colors, heels when appropriate—because I wanted to show that intelligence and elegance are not opposites.
In a world that often stereotypes “nerdy” as dull or unappealing, I wanted to redefine that. You can be brilliant, beautiful, and bold. You can lead in STEM, nurture your children, and show up fully as yourself. That’s the quiet power and artistry behind Let’s Chase the Moon.
What are some of the takeaways?
The main takeaway is that neurodiversity is beautiful. Every child sees and experiences the world differently, and that difference can be a gift. The story invites children to view their uniqueness as strength and encourages families to celebrate each other’s perspectives rather than trying to make everyone the same.
It’s also about connection—the shared wonder of chasing something bigger than yourself, whether it’s the moon, a dream, or understanding. For parents, it’s a gentle reminder that presence matters more than perfection.
There’s also an underlying cultural message. It’s about visibility and representation—seeing a professional Black mother who’s a scientist, a loving father, and children who are curious, expressive, and full of imagination. It’s about breaking stereotypes, redefining what brilliance looks like, and normalizing joy in science and family life.
Ultimately, Let’s Chase the Moon reminds us that our differences are not detours; they’re the paths that make us who we are.
Jeanette Epps about Katrina Carter-Journet “She’s not only a talented STEM professional with an extraordinary career in space exploration — from the Shuttle, to the International Space Station, to next-generation spacesuits, and beyond — but also an author who pours her creativity into uplifting stories for young people.”
✨ Her newest children’s book, Let’s Chase the Moon, is a heartfelt story about family, ADHD awareness, space as a teaching tool for life, and love as infinite as the cosmos.
✨ Mystical Girl reminds girls and young women that they are powerful, creative, and limitless.
✨ Earthium Rise Boy encourages boys and young men to embrace strength, resilience, and their right to shine.
Together, let’s support diverse voices and inspire the next generation!!!🚀🚀🚀
You are a much sought-after speaker. Please share your topics.
I speak about leadership, resilience, and self-discovery through the lens of science and purpose. My topics often include themes such as “The Art of Becoming,” “STEM and the Power of Imagination,” and “Purpose, Pressure, and Possibility.”
I’m also invited to speak at schools, universities, and conferences about empowering girls in STEM, leadership in diversity, student STEM workshops, and balancing technical excellence with personal authenticity. Every engagement gives me an opportunity to remind audiences that growth and greatness begin with self-awareness.
What is next for you?
I’m continuing to expand my creative work through writing, speaking, and mentoring. My next children’s book, Natalie’s Garden of Metamorphosis, explores transformation, courage, and friendship through the story of a caterpillar’s journey to becoming a butterfly. I will also work on turning Let’s Chase The Moon into a book series.
I’m also developing new programs and collaborations that merge art, technology, and emotional intelligence for youth—initiatives that help them see how limitless they are. My goal is to keep creating spaces where curiosity, compassion, and courage can thrive.
People often ask me, “Who mentors the mentor?” The answer is simple—another mentor. I’m always learning, growing, and surrounding myself with people who challenge and inspire me. You are never so far beyond that you can’t learn from someone else.
Closing Reflection
Every chapter of my journey has been about connection—between science and art, between purpose and exploration, and between generations. Whether through aerospace, storytelling, or youth mentorship, my goal has always been to remind others that possibility lives within them.
I believe that representation, curiosity, and courage change lives. The sky is not the limit; it is the invitation.
