Kathy Sullivan Explores

Charles Frank Bolden Jr. is a retired US Marine Corps Major General and former NASA astronaut. After flying on four space shuttle missions—STS-61-C, STS-31, STS-45, and STS-60—Charlie was appointed by former President, Barack Obama, to serve as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017, making him the first African American to head the agency permanently. Today, Charlie is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity.

Charlie joins me today to discuss the qualities aspiring astronauts need to cultivate to be chosen for modern space programs. You’ll hear about his career at NASA and the characteristics he thinks made him a NASA astronaut. He explores how the dawn of the new space age may change selection preferences for would-be astronauts. You’ll also learn the value of being a team player and why being a jack-of-all-trades is essential to becoming an astronaut of today and tomorrow.

“You will be technicians, scientists, and researchers all in one—and that’s the kind of people we’re going to be looking for.”

- Charlie Bolden

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

●      Qualities and characteristics NASA looked for in astronaut candidates in the 1980s

●      Civil rights in the 1980s and the psychological implications of growing up in the segregated South

●      Why being a team player is a high-value trait for NASA astronauts

●      Diversity as a trait of a high-performing organization

●      Why being a good fighter pilot doesn’t necessarily mean being a great astronaut

●      The lack of diversity in NASA’s Apollo era and how astronaut selection preferences have changed since

●      How the dawn of commercial spaceflight is changing preferences for would-be astronauts

●      How commercial spacecraft may change the employment prospects of future astronauts

●      The kind of crew NASA may seek for the Artemis program and beyond

●      Jessica Watkins, Kate Rubins, Peggy Whitson, and why researchers may be the astronauts of the future

●      Ridley Scott’s The Martian and what it takes to be a modern-day astronaut

Resources Mentioned:

Charles F. Bolden Jr. is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity. Appointed by the former president, Barack Obama, Charlie served as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017, making him the first African American to hold the position permanently. Charlie is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General and former astronaut who has flown on four Space Shuttle missions.

Charlie speaks with Kathy about his perspective on NASA’s transition from space shuttle operations to commercial space flight. You’ll gain insight into the real inside workings of Washington, DC, as well as his journey to becoming the 12th Administrator of NASA. Charlie also discusses what the future holds for space commerce and exploration, and the surprising who he'd like to take to space.

“OUR PURPOSE IS TO MAKE THE EARTH A BETTER, MORE SUSTAINABLE PLACE. I THINK WE’RE UP TO THE CHALLENGE.”

- CHARLIE BOLDEN

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

• Charlie’s last shuttle flight and the formation of the new space age

• NASA’s state of play and Charlie’s road to Washington DC

• His first experience with the National Space Council

• The time Charlie had to convince the Congressional Black Caucus of the need for a space station

• What working with Russian cosmonauts taught Charlie

• My experience interacting with Soviet astronauts and cosmonauts

• Charlie’s meeting with the former president, Barack Obama, and his nomination to NASA

• The birth of the SLS, Orion, and commercial crew and cargo

• Why NASA will remain the leader and catalyst for discovery

• The advantages of developing a vibrant commercial space sector

• The James Webb Space Telescope and what gives Charlie hope for the future

Our Favorite Quotes:

       “EVERY CREW BECOMES A FAMILY.”

- CHARLIE BOLDEN

       “STUDY HARD, WORK HARD, AND NEVER BE AFRAID OF FAILURE. LISTEN RESPECTFULLY TO YOUR PARENTS, BUT FOLLOW YOUR PASSION BECAUSE IT’S YOUR LIFE.”

- CHARLIE BOLDEN

Connect with Charlie Bolden:

Charles Frank Bolden Jr. formerly served as the 12th Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017. He was the first African American to head the agency permanently. In addition to being a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General, Charlie is a former astronaut who has flown on four Space Shuttle missions. He is the Founder and CEO Emeritus of the Charles F. Bolden Group, a consortium of accomplished leaders founded in 2017 to foster international collaboration in making life better for all humanity.

Charlie joins us today to describe what it was like growing up in the segregated South. He shares his experience as one of the first African Americans to attend the Naval Academy. You’ll learn how he became a pilot in the Marine Corps despite hating flying in his youth. He also shares his observations on the leadership culture of NASA and underscores the characteristics astronauts have in common.

“The one characteristic we all had in common in the Astronaut Corps is that we were all visionaries and dreamers—people who thought about what the world could be”

- Charlie Bolden

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

●      What it was like growing up in segregated South Carolina in the ‘60s

●       Charlie’s experiences with the Naval Academy

●       Why Charlie used to avoid flying airplanes

●       What eventually led Charlie to the Marine Corps during his plebe year at the Naval Academy

●       Finding his way to flight school and aviation

●       Charlie’s perceptions of NASA’s culture and leadership when he arrived at the Astronaut Corps

●       Bringing Apollo-era astronauts to the 20th century and making NASA a welcoming place for women and people of color

Our Favorite Quotes:

“The leadership skills in the astronaut office then were lacking, considering the challenge they had with making it a place that was openly welcoming to women and people of color. We were tolerated, rather than welcomed with open arms.”

- Charlie Bolden

“It’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.”

- Charlie Bolden

Connect with Charlie Bolden:

Bill Nye “the Science Guy” is an American science educator, engineer, comedian, television presenter, author, and inventor with a mission to help foster a scientifically literate society and to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Making science entertaining and accessible is something Bill has been passionate about his entire life. Bill is a seven time Emmy Award winner and was involved in placing the first sundial on Mars.

Today, Bill joins me to share his story. We talk about the young Bill Nye and the people and events that acted as his greatest influences. He talks about his experience doing stand-up and his life during the war in Vietnam. He discusses the different categories of science and the importance of its advancement. He discusses the role of Congress in this advancement and offers his solutions for political problems. He discusses the exploration of Europa and fields a series of rapid-fire questions.

“BY THE TIME SOMEBODY’S EIGHT YEARS OLD, HIS OR HER ABILITY TO REASON IS PRETTY GOOD. IT’S THE LIFE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU’RE MISSING.”

-

“BRAVERY IS WHEN YOU’VE ACTUALLY ASSESSED THE DANGER.”

- BILL NYE

This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:

• Bill Nye and the sundial on Mars
• Bill’s experience as an engineer
• The role of dancing in Bill’s life
• Political discussion
• The importance of the advancement of science

Mentioned Resources:

My guest on this episode is Zolana Joao, a distinguished engineer and dynamic leader from the Angola National Space Program Management Office.

In this episode, we explore Zolana’s profound journey from his challenging early years in war-torn Angola to his instrumental role in advancing Angola’s aspirations in space exploration.

With his deep commitment to education and his strategic vision, Zolana has been a driving force in launching Angola’s first satellites, significantly impacting his country’s development and representation in the global space community.

This episode was recorded at the Inter Astra Retreat just outside Washington DC last November (2023).

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• From Civil War to Space Pioneer: Zolana’s journey through adversity to space leadership.

• Strategic Mind in Angola’s Space Ascent: His pivotal role in launching Angola’s satellites.

• Lessons from Global Space Partnerships: How international collaborations shaped his strategy.

• Advocating for Future Innovators: Zolana’s efforts to inspire the next generation in Angola.

• Leadership Philosophy: Insights into overcoming obstacles in space sector leadership.

Quote: 

"I didn’t know that I was building muscle. Then after 9 months, I start applying for jobs in electrical engineering jobs. And I found, Motorola company. That time, Motorola was already in Angola, and they were hiring technicians. But I was scared because I was 17. I was not allowed officially to work yet. But I said, I have to gotta do something."  

- Zolana Joao

Episode Links: