Dr. Michaela Musilova, an astrobiologist, analog astronaut, author, and speaker, is a woman at the forefront of space exploration. Her experience and quest for scientific and personal excellence make her an inspiration for hundreds of women around the world.
Dr. Musilova believes that space research and exploration are increasingly vital for life on Earth. These fields rely on some of the world’s brightest minds in various disciplines whose research not only pushes the frontiers of knowledge but ultimately helps us overcome some of the most acute challenges here on our planet.
International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month celebrate women, pioneers, and trailblazers. To mark the occasion, we spoke to Dr. Musilova about her work as an astrobiologist, an analog astronaut, and a trailblazer for women in science.
Dr. Musilova has conducted space-related research at institutions around the world, including CalTech, University College London, University of Bristol, Chiba University, and others. She has also collaborated with NASA, ESA, and international observatories such as the University of London and Canada-France-Hawaii telescopes.
Dr. Musilova’s journey began at the age of eight when she first became interested in space and extraterrestrial life. Her passion for space led her to study at various universities worldwide, including Caltech, Chiba University, and UCL.
At 21 years old, Dr. Musilova started working with NASA, collaborating on multiple space-related research projects. Her research has taken her to expeditions in different extreme environments around the world, such as Arctic regions, deserts, tall mountains, and volcanoes. Dr. Musilova has worked on several other space-related projects with space organizations and institutions worldwide, including the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope.
Despite numerous challenges and obstacles, Dr. Musilova persisted in her pursuit of space exploration. She spent a couple of years in Slovakia as the Chair of the Slovak Organization for Space Activities, where she helped move the space sector forward. Dr. Musilova is presently focusing on her research, education, and outreach activities while leading her own Astro Seven Summits project.
The Astro Seven Summits project aims to conduct research, educational and outreach activities while climbing the tallest mountain on each continent. Dr. Musilova believes that outreach and education are essential aspects of her work. She urges scientists to interact with the public more to help others understand their research’s significance.
Outside of work, Dr. Musilova is a dancer. She has been dancing since she was three years old and has tried a variety of dance styles, including hip hop, ballet, lyrical, flamenco, breakdancing, acrobatic dancing, belly dancing, ballroom dancing, and many others. Dancing brings her joy and is also a great form of exercise.
Dr. Musilova did not have any role models growing up. However, she drew inspiration from people she knew or met whose stories motivated her to aim high and pursue her dreams. She thinks that young people nowadays are not encouraged or motivated to go into sciences enough.
Dr. Musilova’s journey into science and space exploration is an inspiration to women around the world. Her hard work, dedication, and perseverance have helped her overcome numerous challenges and obstacles in her path. Her determination to succeed, regardless of the circumstances, is what makes her a trailblazer in the field of space exploration.