Aisha Bowe
American aerospace engineer (born 1986)

Aisha Bowe
Aisha Bowe in 2025
Born (1985-11-04) November 4, 1985 (age 40)
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
OrganizationSTEMBoard
Known forAerospace engineering, entrepreneurship, and STEM education
Websitewww.aishabowe.com

Aisha Bowe (born November 4, 1985) is an American aerospace engineer, entrepreneur, and STEM advocate. She is the founder and chief executive officer of STEMBoard, a technology and professional services company, and the founder of LINGO, an education technology company. STEMBoard was named to Inc. magazine's Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States in 2020 and 2023.

In April 2025, Bowe flew aboard the Blue Origin NS-31 suborbital mission, where she served as a science payload operator for plant biology experiments conducted in partnership with NASA-affiliated research institutions.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Bowe grew up in the United States in a working-class family. Her high school guidance counselor advised her to pursue cosmetology, after which she enrolled at Washtenaw Community College. While there, her father encouraged her to take a mathematics course, which helped her build the academic foundation needed to transfer into engineering programs at the University of Michigan.[4][5] During this period, her father was also pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, an experience Bowe has cited as influential in her academic development.

Bowe earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering in 2008 and a master's degree in space systems engineering in 2009, both from the University of Michigan.[6][7] During graduate study, she was mentored by professor Thomas Zurbuchen, who encouraged her to pursue a career at NASA.[8]

Career

Bowe worked at the Ames Research Center in the Flight Trajectory Dynamics and Controls Branch of the Aviation Systems Division.[9] She later joined the AST Flight and Fluid Mechanics group in 2009, contributing to the development of algorithms supporting air traffic management.[10] In 2012, she received the National Society of Black Engineers award for Outstanding Technical Contribution for her paper "Evaluation of a Fuel Efficient Aircraft Maneuver for Conflict Resolution".[11]

While at NASA, Bowe served as liaison to the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program,[12] mentoring students, leading workshops, and conducting NASA site tours.[13]

STEMBoard

Bowe is founder and CEO of STEMBoard. The company provides professional advisory services to organizations in the U.S Government[14]

STEMBoard was named to Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States in 2020 and 2023.[15][16] The company was also the recipient of the Nunn-Perry Award 2022 presented by the United States Department of Defense.[17]

LINGO

In 2022, Bowe founded LINGO,[18] an education technology company that develops hands-on, project-based STEM learning kits and curriculum.[19][20][21][20][22][22][23] In 2024, the company raised $2.3 million.[24] LINGO was recognized by Inc. magazine in 2022 when Bowe was named to its Female Founders list,[25] and the company's coding kits have been featured in WIRED, which included LINGO in its guide to the best subscription boxes for kids.[26][27]

Public engagement and outreach

Bowe (center) gives motivational talk for the US Embassy in South Africa in 2019.

In February 2025, Bowe was invited by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism to attend a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster landing in the Exumas, in recognition of her work supporting spaceflight coordination and STEM initiatives in The Bahamas.[28]

Bowe has also participated in international public diplomacy and STEM outreach initiatives. She is a speaker in the U.S. Department of State Speaker Program, delivering lectures on STEM education, entrepreneurship and space in numerous countries including South Africa, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, India, and Egypt .[29][30][31][32]

Blue Origin NS-31 Mission

Aisha Bowe with the BioServe biometric device in NS-31 flight training

Bowe traveled with Blue Origin in 2025 on the Blue Origin NS-31 mission. On the flight, she served as the science payload operator for a collaborative experiment with NASA's Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) and BioServe Space Technologies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, which flew sweet potato, tomato, chickpea, and Arabidopsis seedlings. The mission's goal was to genetically sequence the plants after exposure to microgravity and compare them to ground controls to better understand how crops adapt to space at the molecular level. The study examined how microgravity and radiation affect plant biology to advance future space farming and food security efforts.[33][34]

During the New Shepard mission, Bowe operated two scientific payloads: one supported by NASA's Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), and another developed in partnership with BioServe Space Technologies, Winston-Salem State University, and the Brazilian Space Agency.[33][34]

She became the sixth Black woman to cross the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space.[35] she shared the mission with guests Lauren Sánchez Bezos[36] Gayle King, Katy Perry, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn on 14 April 2025.[37]

Bowe traveled with Blue Origin on NS-31, making her the first Black woman confirmed to travel with the company.[23]

In addition to contributing to science, Bowe carried symbolic items on the mission, including the personal American flag of Apollo 12 commander Pete Conrad, flown with permission from the Conrad family and the Museum of Flight, as well as a University of Michigan flag.[34]

In a 2024 interview with ABC News, Bowe shared that she mentored a 13-year-old girl who is now an aerospace engineer working for Blue Origin on one of the same rocket systems on which Bowe flew.[38]

Awards

Bowe has received recognition for her contributions to aerospace engineering, entrepreneurship, and STEM education.[39][11]

Publications

Selected publications by Bowe include:[43]

  • Bowe, Aisha; Lauderdale, Todd (2010). "Selecting conflict resolution maneuvers based on minimum fuel burn". 29th Digital Avionics Systems Conference. IEEE. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.719.4632. doi:10.1109/DASC.2010.5655529. ISBN 978-1-4244-6616-0. S2CID 16101938.
  • Lauderdale, Todd A; Cone, Andrew C; Bowe, Aisha R (2011). "Relative significance of trajectory prediction errors on an automated separation assurance algorithm" (PDF). 9th USA/Europe ATM R&D Seminar (ATM2011). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2013.
  • Bowe, Aisha; Santiago, Confesor (2012). "An approach for balancing delay and fuel burn in separation assurance automation" (PDF). 12th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference and 14th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference. doi:10.2514/6.2012-5416. ISBN 978-1-60086-930-3. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 15, 2015.
  • Cone, Andrew; Bowe, Aisha; Lauderdale, Todd (2012). "Robust conflict detection and resolution around top of descent" (PDF). 12th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference and 14th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference. doi:10.2514/6.2012-5644. ISBN 978-1-60086-930-3. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 8, 2017.

References

  1. ^ a b Vlessing, Etan (May 1, 2025). "Aisha Bowe, Blue Origin Astronaut, Signs With CAA (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  2. ^ "Blue Origin Announces Crew For New Shepard's 31st Mission". Blue Origin. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  3. ^ Earl, Jennifer (March 27, 2025). ""CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King gears up for Blue Origin's women-led space flight in April. Here's what to know". CBS News. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  4. ^ Blount, Joresa (January 19, 2018). "From Community College To NASA". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  5. ^ Pope-Chappell, Maya (October 11, 2016). "Meet the former NASA engineer helping to send careers into orbit". LinkedIn. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  6. ^ Guy, Sandra (June 5, 2019). "Women Engineers You Should Know". SWE Magazine. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  7. ^ "Former NASA engineer works to connect underrepresented youth to opportunities in science". Made at Michigan. University of Michigan. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  8. ^ "Former NASA Engineer Makes Millions with STEMBoard - EBONY". www.ebony.com. July 23, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  9. ^ "Bahamian engineer, Aisha Bowe wins 21st Century Trailblazers in Aerospace Award". www.thebahamasweekly.com. February 10, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  10. ^ "BEYA Scientists 2013 - Where Are They Now?". US Black Engineer. August 18, 2017. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  11. ^ a b Bowe, Aisha R.; Santiago, Confesor (2011). Evaluation of a Fuel Efficient Aircraft Maneuver for Conflict Resolution (PDF) (Report). S2CID 51913631.
  12. ^ a b Whachel, Robbin (July 13, 2012). "Bahamian-American Engineer Receives Prestigious NASA Honor Award for Equal Employment Opportunity". www.thebahamasweekly.com. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  13. ^ "NASA engineer finds rewards" (PDF). MESA News. Vol. 36, no. 2. Summer–Fall 2012. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  14. ^ "Katy Perry, Aisha Bowe Among All-Female Blue Origin Space Crew The pair joined a celebrity crew invited by Jeff Bezos' girlfriend Lauren Sanchez". inc.com. April 14, 2025.
  15. ^ "August 17, 2020". Inc. 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  16. ^ Robards, Chester (August 17, 2020). "Company run by Bahamian makes Inc. 5000 list". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  17. ^ "Department of Defense Announces Winners of the Fiscal Year 2022 Nunn-Perry Award". U.S. Department of Defense. March 6, 2023.
  18. ^ "2023 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards". content.yudu.com.
  19. ^ "Entrepreneur & engineer Aisha Bowe creates STEMBoard Lingo Coding Kit to inspire". Techstination. December 15, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Carey, Teresa (June 26, 2020). "New Tech Startup Aims to Teach More Girls to Code". Freethink. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  21. ^ Zemler, Emily (August 17, 2020). "How To Go Back To School Without Actually Going Back To School". Shondaland. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  22. ^ a b Faerman, Zlata (February 9, 2021). "Best STEM Toys for Kids". NY Metro Parents. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  23. ^ a b Bowe, Aisha (April 2023). "Rocket Scientist Aisha Bowe on a Mission to Inspire Others to Reach for the Stars". WIPO Magazine (Interview). Interviewed by Jewell, Catherine.
  24. ^ Engineering, Blavity (November 5, 2024). "Former NASA Rocket Scientist Aisha Bowe Raises $2.3M, Aims To Ensure The Next Generation Has Greater Exposure To STEM Fields". AfroTech.
  25. ^ "The Top 100 Female Founders of 2022".
  26. ^ So, Adrienne (November 24, 2018). "I Made My Kids Build Robots and Read Books to Test the Best Subscription Boxes for Kids". WIRED.
  27. ^ Dorsey, Sherrell (July 12, 2020). "These Black Founders Succeeded In Spite of Silicon Valley". Wired. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  28. ^ Bowe, Aisha (February 18, 2025). "SpaceX Rocket Landing Makes History in The Bahamas". South Florida Caribbean News (Interview).
  29. ^ "Inspirational Entrepreneur and STEM Expert, Aisha Bowe, visits South Africa". Startup Magazine. October 11, 2019. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021.
  30. ^ "Ms. Aisha Bowe lectured at FUTURE HIT Center". HIT - News and Events. Holon Institute of Technology. November 11, 2019. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  31. ^ "Zain sponsors virtual talk hosted by GUST and ASCC". Kuwait Times. December 26, 2020.
  32. ^ "Aisha Bowe Interview". U.S Speaker Programs (Interview). Interviewed by Kress, Molly. United States Department of State.
  33. ^ a b Reid, Pauleanna. "How Rocket Scientist, Aisha Bowe, Is Rewriting The Future Of STEM Access". Forbes.
  34. ^ a b c McAlpine, Kate (September 12, 2025). "First Alumna in Space".
  35. ^ Bowe, Aisha (October 27, 2022). "Aisha Bowe Is The First Black Woman Confirmed To Fly To Space with Blue Origin". AD Week (Interview).
  36. ^ Strickland, Ashley (February 27, 2025). "Katy Perry and Gayle King are among 6 women headed to space aboard New Shepard". CNN.
  37. ^ Replay: New Shepard Mission NS-30 Webcast. Van Horn, Texas, United States: Blue Origin. February 25, 2024. Event occurs at 15:30 UTC. Retrieved February 25, 2024..
  38. ^ Bowe, Aisha (December 13, 2024). "Aisha Bowe prepares for historic space voyage as first Black woman aboard Blue Origin". ABCnews.com (Interview).
  39. ^ "2012 National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Aerospace Conference Awards". NASA Aviation Systems Division. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  40. ^ "NASA aerospace engineer Bowe lands at MTSU, Hobgood". MTSU News. April 15, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  41. ^ "Aisha Bowe – Digital Diversity Network". digitaldiversitynetwork.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  42. ^ Davis, Amanda (July 21, 2023). "40 Under 40: STEMBoard's Aisha Bowe". Washington Business Journal.
  43. ^ "Aisha Bowe". Google Scholar.
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