Hello everyone — Kaley Eaton here!
Growing up in the small town of North Brookfield, Massachusetts, I always had my sights set on the stars. From a young age, I was fascinated by space and the endless possibilities of what lies beyond Earth. What started as a childhood dream of becoming an astronaut eventually grew into a passion for science, engineering, and understanding the technology that makes space exploration possible.
My journey into engineering began at a vocational and technical high school, where I studied Electronics Technology and developed a solid foundation in electrical systems and hands-on problem-solving. During my sophomore year in 2018, I participated in Higher Orbits’ Go For Launch! program in Massachusetts. My team, Team Plutonium, developed a research proposal investigating how microgravity affects the reproduction of tardigrades, and our project was selected as the winner of our local program. That experience gave me an opportunity to explore scientific research beyond the classroom and further fueled my passion for the aerospace industry.
I went on to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics with minors in Applied Mathematics, Computer Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. Throughout my education, I had opportunities to explore several areas of aerospace engineering and contribute to NASA programs, including the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory’s Project Dragonfly, a mission to Saturn’s moon Titan. My work involved using LiDAR to help understand and characterize Titan’s surface, giving me a greater appreciation for the technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration needed to explore other worlds.
After graduating in 2024, I moved to Colorado to begin my professional career at Lockheed Martin Space as an Associate Software Engineer. Although my position was primarily focused on software engineering, I spent a significant amount of time working on electrical engineering projects, allowing me to continue developing my technical skills across multiple disciplines.
At the beginning of 2026, I transitioned into my current role as a Circuit Design Engineer, where I contribute to programs including Strategic Missile Defense, GeoXO/GPS, and Artemis. Working across such a diverse range of programs has given me a greater appreciation for the engineering, innovation, and collaboration required to advance our capabilities in space, from supporting national security to enabling future exploration missions.
I am especially excited to attend the Golden Age of Space event and connect with others who share my passion for advancing the aerospace industry. Having experienced space exploration from both a student and professional perspective, I am looking forward to hearing from leaders across government, industry, and the space community about the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of space. I am particularly interested in learning how emerging technologies, collaboration, and innovation will continue to expand our capabilities beyond Earth. As someone who once dreamed of simply reaching the stars, it is incredibly exciting to now be part of an industry working to make those possibilities a reality. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter of space exploration holds!
Written by Kaley Eaton
