Whenever Ellen Stofan visited a school somewhere in the world during her time as chief scientist at NASA, she asked students how many astronauts are on the International Space Station. Stofan remembers one science and technology high school in the Philippines where every student knew the answer: six.
The Philippines is one of the several developing countries now interested in starting their own space agency, something that Stofan hopes will help inspire a new generation of science and technology graduates there, just as the Moon landing did in the United States. Youth in impoverished countries are often the most eager to ask her how they can be the first to walk on Mars, the outgoing chief scientist told Devex. The inspiration to dream big is just one of the ways that space-based science is impacting local conditions of poverty back on earth, Stofan says.
As Stofan departs her post, the space agency faces many unknowns under President-elect Donald J. Trump. Oklahoma Rep. Jim Bridenstine is reportedly the likely choice to replace Charles Bolden as NASA administrator. Some analysts worry the incoming administration may cut back on NASA’s climate research in favor of space exploration.