Description

Meet Kirsten Whittingham, the President of Max Space, a company committed to lowering the cost of doing business in space through innovative ‘expandable’ habitation modules.

Kirsten’s journey from a space-obsessed child in rural Tennessee to leading a company at the forefront of space habitation reflects her relentless dedication and passion for the space industry.

With an aerospace engineering degree and experience as a flight controller at NASA for both the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station, Kirsten brings invaluable insights into the future of space exploration and the role of cost-effective solutions in expanding humanity’s reach into space.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Kirsten’s journey from space camp to NASA.

• The significance of Max Space’s modular habitats.

• Challenges women face in a male-dominated industry.

• How space technologies benefit everyday life on Earth.

• Plans for Max Space’s 2026 mission with SpaceX.

Quote:

“We can’t limit ourselves with what we think can be accomplished… we need people who can innovate, who can come up with these big, maybe crazy ideas, and work with a team to figure out how to make it work.”

- Kirsten Whittingham

Episode Links:

• Connect with Kirsten Whittingham on LinkedIn

• Follow Max Space on LinkedIn

• Explore Max Space

• Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University

• Raytheon (now RTX)

• Redwire Space (Made in Space)

• Axiom Space

• NASA

Credits:

Production by CxS Partners LTD 

Executive Producer: Toby Goodman

Audio & Sound Design: Lee Turner

Artwork: Ryan Field

Find your place in the business of space: https://interastra.space