Cassandra Klos, USA
A conversation with Cassandra Klos on documenting Mars simulations and capturing the human side of space exploration through her photography.
Isaac Macharia Gathu, Kenya
Isaac Gathu is building Mars Society Kenya and shaping Africa’s role in space exploration through analog missions, culture, and bold ambition.
Bonus: Artemis II & The Launch That Changes Our Future with Ben Bailey
As Artemis II launches humanity back beyond low Earth orbit, we speak with NASA astronaut candidate Ben Bailey about the mission, the future of space exploration, and the path to Mars.
Alyssa Carson, USA
Alyssa Carson shares her journey from childhood dreamer to astrobiology PhD, revealing what it really takes to pursue a future on Mars and become part of the next generation of space explorers.
Benedetta Facini, Italy
Citizen scientist and astronaut candidate Benedetta Facini joins Aspiring Martians to discuss asteroid hunting, NASA citizen science projects, science communication, and the growing role of everyday people in space exploration.
Shriya Musuku, USA/India
Engineer, EMT, and analog astronaut Shriya Musuku shares her journey toward Mars and the resilience required to prepare humans for space exploration.
Thendral Kamal, India
Thendral Kamal shares how engineering, community, and persistence are shaping her path toward becoming the first Indian woman to set foot on Mars.
Lina Borozdina, Ukraine
Lina Borozdina joins Aspiring Martians for a powerful conversation about spaceflight, resilience, and representation.
Dr. Kshitij Mall, India
Aerospace Engineering Professor Dr. Kshitij Mall joins Aspiring Martians to discuss advanced propulsion research, Mission ShakthiSAT, and how low-cost lunar architectures can open space exploration to students, universities, and emerging space nations.
Dr. Adriana Marais, South Africa
Dr. Adriana Marais — theoretical physicist, astrobiologist, and leader of Africa’s first mission to the lunar south pole — joins Aspiring Martians to discuss off-world living, quantum biology, the origins of life, and how extreme places on Earth are preparing us for the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Keisha Schahaff, Antigua & Barbuda
Keisha Schahaff, the first Caribbean woman in space and one half of the first mother-daughter astronaut duo, shares how her Virgin Galactic spaceflight transformed her life, deepened her connection to Earth, and strengthened her dream of one day living on Mars.
Dr. Shawna Pandya, Canada
Dr. Shawna Pandya shares how curiosity, compassion, and courage guide her journey from emergency medicine to aquanaut missions to preparing for spaceflight.
Sahda Haroon, Sri Lanka/UAE
Sahda Haroon is a space advocate and STEAM educator whose passion for representation and empowerment is lighting a path for future explorers.
Ilia-Daniel Gashinbaki, Nigeria
At just 17 years old, Ilia-Daniel Gashinbaki — Nigeria’s youngest Space Ambassador and Executive Director of the Africa Space Foundation — is reshaping how Africa engages with the final frontier.
Matthew Montgomery (USA) & James Spicer (UK)
NASA’s CHAPEA 2 crew members Matthew Montgomery and James Spicer share what inspired them to sign up for a year-long Mars simulation and what it is that will keep them going.
Dr. Dianne McGrath, Australia
Explorer Dianne McGrath—sailor, sustainability expert, and Mars One finalist—reveals how the Outback and the open ocean prepared her for the quiet vastness of space.
Alejandro Perez, USA
Biomedical engineer Alejandro Perez shares how curiosity, mentorship, and a dash of chaos led him from diesel tanks to designing agricultural robotics for the Red Planet.
Rachel Lyons, USA
Former Space for Humanity director Rachel Lyons shares how humility, self-care, and courage shape the leaders who will one day guide humanity beyond Earth.
Sergii Iakymov, Ukraine
Ukrainian aerospace engineer Sergii Iakymov—director of MDRS—shares lessons from leading analog crews in Utah and what they teach us about global unity and human endurance.
Josh Richards, Australia
Physicist, commando, and comic Josh Richards opens up about trauma, humor, and the wild courage it takes to sign up for a one-way mission to Mars.