In this episode, we’re joined by Laurie Labra, Vice President of the Science and Space Human Exploration Division at KBR. With a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Houston and a career in aerospace spanning more than three decades, Laurie leads a team of over 2,750 employees and oversees multiple high-value contracts that support NASA’s most critical human spaceflight missions.

After beginning out as an astronaut instructor for the Space Shuttle Program, Laurie has advanced to oversee some of the most difficult and significant changes in NASA's support systems. Laurie's leadership has molded the future of spaceflight from the ground up, from coordinating the rapid integration of large contracts to provide mission support during shuttle launches and ISS operations. Her tale is one of operational brilliance, technological excellence, and an enduring commitment to human exploration.

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz
Edited by Jun Winters

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Music by Mr. Stee, www.mrsteemusic.com
Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
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Facebook

In this episode, we’re joined by Meghan Pipitone, Advanced Project Engineer at Honeywell and co-inventor of life-sustaining technologies for spacecraft and marine environments. With a background in electrical engineering from the University of San Diego, Meghan has played a key role in developing CO₂ removal systems for NASA missions, including the groundbreaking Carbon Dioxide Removal by Ionic Liquid System (CDRILS).

Meghan’s work sits at the intersection of innovation and sustainability, pushing the boundaries of environmental control systems that will support future space exploration. From navigating complex engineering challenges to shaping the future of life support in extreme environments, Meghan’s story is one of resilience, vision, and impact.

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz
Edited by Jun Winters

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Music by Mr. Stee, www.mrsteemusic.com
Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we’re joined by Kirsten Whittingham, President of MAX SPACE, the company developing expandable space habitats designed for greater livability, lower cost, and easier launches. With a background in aerospace engineering and leadership roles at Axiom Space and Pratt & Whitney, Kirsten brings a wealth of experience and a passion for operational excellence to the future of space infrastructure. Listen now on all platforms! 

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz
Edited by Jun Winters

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Music by Mr. Stee, www.mrsteemusic.com
Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we’re joined by Maraia Tanner, Chairwoman of the Board and CEO of STAR HARBOR, the company behind the world’s first publicly accessible spaceflight training facility. With a degree in astrophysics from UC Irvine, Maraia’s career spans the commercial and defense sectors, including engineering roles at TRW, Northrop Grumman, NASA, and JPL. She’s contributed to major missions like the Mars Sample Return and Space Interferometry Mission, co-authoring work on the structural challenges of shuttle-launched systems.

Maraia is also a passionate advocate for climate action, sustainability, and increasing diversity in STEAM. From pioneering new pathways to space to championing change on Earth, her work is helping redefine who space is for—and why it matters.

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Where to Find Maraia:

LinkedIn

STAR HARBOR

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz
Edited by Jun Winters

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Music by Mr. Stee, www.mrsteemusic.com
Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we’re joined by Lauren Fell, an Outreach and Marketing specialist at Lunar Outpost Oceania and a PhD candidate in Quantum Cognition. Lauren’s cutting-edge research explores how quantum concepts shape human intuition, particularly in trust-based decision-making. Lauren has contributed to projects like reforestation in the Galapagos and paleontology in Argentina and was honored with the Inspiring Future Leader Award at the QLD 40 under 40 Awards in 2023. Her work has been published in top journals on topics like human-AI trust and quantum cognition. 

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Where to Find Lauren:

LinkedIn

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz
Edited by Jun Winters

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Music by Mr. Stee, www.mrsteemusic.com
Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In this episode, we’re joined by Michelle Lucas, a trailblazer in space and education. From working at NASA’s Johnson Space Center to becoming a technical instructor for astronauts and flight controllers, Michelle’s career has been driven by her passion for space. But her journey didn’t stop there. Michelle founded Higher Orbits, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders through the wonders of space. Tune in to hear how Michelle is using her experiences to spark curiosity and passion in students worldwide. 

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Where to Find Michelle:

Linkedin

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz
Edited by Jun Winters

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Music by Mr. Stee, www.mrsteemusic.com
Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In today's episode, we're joined by Diane Howard, Principal of sur l'espace PLLC and Visiting Professor at UT Austin School of Law/Strauss Center for International and Security Studies. Diane takes us through her unique career journey, from the fashion industry to space law, and ultimately to her former role as Director of Commercial Space Policy at the National Space Council in the Executive Office of the President.

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Where to Find Diane:
Linkedin

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz
Edited by Jun Winters

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Music by Mr. Stee, www.mrsteemusic.com
Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In today's episode, we're joined by Meagan Crawford, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SpaceFund, Co-Founder of the NewSpace Business Plan Competition, and Host of the Mission Eve Podcast. This week, Meagan dives into her journey of starting her own VC firm, how startups can find success through space business plan competitions, and the importance of women of all ages pursing space related endeavors to achieve human civilization in space.

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Where to Find Megan:
Mission Eve Podcast
SpaceFund
NewSpace Business Plan Competition

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz
Edited by Jun Winters

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Music by Mr. Stee, www.mrsteemusic.com
Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

In today's episode, we're joined by Beth Mund, Owner of Stellar Communications, Executive Director and Founder of STORIES of Space, and Host and Creator of the Casual Space Podcast. In this week's conversation, Beth takes a seat at the other side of the podcast table where she shares her experience as a a former Public Affairs Officer at NASA'S Johnson Space Center, how that experience led her to creating her podcast and non-profit, and the challenges and joys of being an analog astronaut.

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Where to Find Beth
www.bethmund.com
www.storiesofspace.com
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz
Edited by Jun Winters

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Music by Mr. Stee, www.mrsteemusic.com
Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook

Today on In Her Orbit, we're joined by Marisa Achée, the Chief Business Development Officer at a.i. solutions. Join us in this week's conversation where we discuss the marriage between engineering and business development, fostering an employee-centric company culture in small businesses, and how to collaborate with your competitors, transforming them into "competimates".

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Where to Find Marisa
https://www.facebook.com/aisolutionsinc
https://twitter.com/ai_sol
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aisolutionsinc
https://www.youtube.com/user/aisolutionsinc

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz

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Hosted by Shawn Linam
Produced by Sicily Seitz
Edited by Jun Winters

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Music by Mr. Stee, www.mrsteemusic.com
Supported by Qwaltec

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Find In Her Orbit on:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook