Our guest today, Dr. Danielle Wood, is a shining example of how passion and perseverance can lead you to the stars. She defied the odds, shattered expectations, and carved her own path to become a leader in the world of space exploration and technology.

So, join us as we embark on this cosmic voyage with Dr. Danielle Wood and discover how she unveiled the universe, one challenge at a time.

Be sure to share some of your thoughts on today's episode with us on Instagram at @blackimagination. If you want to stay updated on all our latest news and exclusive content, click on this newsletter link. If you love what we do and want to support the show, click this support link. And without further ado, Dr. Danielle Wood.

Things Mentioned

India south pole Moon landing- After a failed attempt to land on the moon in 2019, India now joins the United States, the Soviet Union and China as only the fourth country to achieve this milestone.

The Outer Space Treaty- 

• the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind;
• outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all States;
• outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means;
• States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner;
• the Moon and other celestial bodies shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes;
• astronauts shall be regarded as the envoys of mankind;
• States shall be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities;
• States shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects; and
• States shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies.

Chandra Xray observatory telescope - NASA's sophisticated telescope is specially designed to detect X-ray emission from very hot regions of the Universe

Systems architecture- A system's architecture reflects how it is thought about in terms of its structure, functions, and relationships.

TNW Conference - is a website and annual series of conferences focused on new technology and start-up companies in Europe.

Phillis Wheatley- American poet and author, the first black woman to publish a book (as an American woman, but the book was published in the UK).

Henrietta Cordelia Ray- American poet and teacher.

Katherine Johnson- American mathematician and NASA worker

Dogon Tribe- an ethnic group indigenous to the central plateau region of Mali, in West Africa, south of the Niger bend, near the city of Bandiagara, and in Burkina Faso.

Octavia Butler- American science fiction writer

Audre Lorde- black feminist philosopher and intersectional thought

What to Read

Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America - by Ibram X. Kendi

Minor Notes Volume 1- byJoshau Bennett and Jesse McCarthy

Overstory- by Richard Powers

What to listen to

Saturn - Stevie Wonder

There’s a Star for Everyone - Aretha Franklin

The Space Program - A Tribe Called Quest

Who to follow

Follow Dr. Danielle Wood on IG @space_enabled and by visiting her website.

This conversation was recorded on August 31, 2023.

Host Dario Calmese 

Producer:  K.T. Thompson

Visual Art Direction and Designs: River Wildmen

Director of Digital Content: Vicky Garcia

Production Asst:  Noa Lesche

Original Music composed by Adam Radice

Audio Edited by Adam Radice

Visit us at blackimagination.com 

Watch other episodes on YouTube at The Institute of Black Imagination.