Fueled by Coffee, Propelled by Dreams: My first time meeting Astronaut Wendy Lawrence
Some people say inspiration strikes like lightning, a sudden, electric, and blinding reaction.
But, for me, it brews slowly, like a strong cup of coffee.
When I first met Astronaut Wendy Lawrence, I wasn’t nervous, I was energized. I knew exactly what I was going to ask her: ”What is it like to drink coffee in space?”. Though a simple question, it lit a fuse for a conversation that has stuck with me ever since. Wendy and I are fueled by the same thing. Not just big dreams, but actual coffee, the same rocket fuel that launches our mornings and, in many ways, our lives.
I met Astronaut Lawrence during the 2024 Space Coast Higher Orbits “Go For Launch!” event. My team and I were deep in the process of designing our microgravity-based research experiment. Wendy wasn’t just there to inspire, she was hands-on! She shared her experiences living aboard the ISS, gave us practical insight into space-based technologies, and even offered guidance to help us refine our project. A special thing about Wendy is that she doesn’t make space feel possible, she makes it feel personal.
One moment that will stay with me forever was when she signed my ceramic Space Shuttle coffee cup. It’s one of my favorite coffee cups! However, for me, it’s more than just a cup, it’s a compass. A daily reminder of where I’m headed.
Wendy Lawrence broke barriers, as one of the first female helicopter pilots in the U.S. Navy, as a four-time Space Shuttle astronaut, and as a key contributor to the International Space Station. But her legacy extends beyond those historic achievements to how she brings that experience back down to Earth. It’s in how she uplifts others. It’s in how she connects, teaches, and empowers the next generation.
As an Aerospace Engineering student at the Florida Institute of Technology, I carry her example with me in everything that I do. On this National Astronaut Day, as she receives the Astronaut Rock Star Gold Award, I just want to say thank you.
Wendy, your story, your guidance, and your signature are part of my story now.
From one dreamer to another, congratulations, and thank you for fueling the future!
Written by Stellar Student Valentina Guillen who attended Go For Launch! Space Coast
