Athena Brensberger advocates for space exploration through her platform Astroathens – a website, youtube channel, and various social media platforms. People can find DIY astrophysics demos, rocket launch coverage, and going behind the scenes at events around the world! She’s worked with Seeker, Futurism, ArianeGroup, and Dexter as a correspondent on all things astronomy and rocket science. With a background in astrophysics and fashion, Athena’s mission is to show that space is within all of us, no matter what industry you are in. Her research includes work on Proto-planetary disks and low mass stars. After giving her first talk on stage, she fell in love with presenting science rather than conducting it.
What is your background, where did you grow up?
I’m a Brooklynite, born & raised New Yorker.
When did you first become interested in space?
At 12 years old when my best friend, Anika Ahmed gave me a book on the cosmos and I knew that day I had to be part of that industry to try and find life beyond Earth.
What do you think the biggest issue facing the industry today?
Public knowledge on what truly comes out of space exploration. The more people that are informed of how important it is to our species, the greater advancement we will see.
What do you like to do for fun?
Paint, dance and listen to super deep music with narrators speaking over the tunes.
What is your favorite movie and why?
Interstellar, I know, SO cliche, but that’s because it got SO MANY people to question who we are and why we are here. A lot more deep thinkers were born the day that movie hit theaters.
What are some of your favorite books?
The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot!! -Obsessed. Also Billions & Billions by Carl Sagan as well as Contact. How to win friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins. Death by Black Hole by Neil deGrasse Tyson. And of course A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking.
What are you reading now?
I’m still working on The Holographic Universe, I pause when it gets REALLY interesting and reflect, research and end up down a rabbit hole.
Where do you see the space industry in ten years?
I see the start of buildings/infrastructure being built on the Moon during that time, something like biospheres/domes. And the first humans being trained to go to Mars.
What would you tell people just starting out in the space industry?
Surround yourselves with fellow curious minds! Find events to go to, facebook groups to connect through and subscribe to as many science newsletters as possible-there’s something about just waking up to new discoveries made in science popping up in your inbox first thing in the morning that jus shifts your energy to start the new day!
