From Awty Carpool to Moon Orbit

©Canadian Space Agency

When Jenni Gibbons visited our Early Learning Campus last fall to share her experiences as an astronaut, our youngest learners were captivated. And so were we. Beyond the space suit and the mission to the moon lies the story of a parent navigating an extraordinary career while raising a family in Houston.

We had the chance to sit with Jenni to learn about her journey from combustion scientist to astronaut, and how she balances reaching for the stars while staying grounded as an Awty mom.

Let's start at the beginning. Where are you from, and what brought your family to Houston?

I'm originally from Canada. I was born in Calgary, Alberta, and spent my early life there before moving to the UK to do my PhD. I was a professor over there teaching thermodynamics and researching combustion systems, and I thought that would be my forever job, until I applied for the Canadian Space Agency astronaut program. They don't recruit astronauts very often, and I was always kind of interested in the space program. So I applied in 2016 and found out I got the position in 2017 after a lengthy process. That's what brought us to Houston; we moved here in the beginning of August 2017.

Did you always dream of working at NASA?

I was fascinated with the night sky when I was young, and Canada had astronauts I really looked up to. But then I became interested in other things; I was very creative and loved science. Combining those led me to engineering and eventually combustion research. That was my entire world until the space agency started recruiting again. Friends encouraged me to apply, and it just kept going until I ended up here.

Can you walk us through what that application process looked like?

It took a year. After initial tests and medical requirements, I returned to Canada every month or two for assessment centers. They tested teamwork, leadership, and communication; they really try to stress you out. We did water tasks, firefighting drills, helicopter escapes, hazardous gas simulations, robotics testing, psychological and medical testing. By summer 2017, we were moving to Houston.

What does training look like now?

I'm assigned to the Artemis II mission, so my training revolves around the Orion spacecraft systems and the science objectives for observing the lunar surface during our flyby. I also help develop the lunar surface space suit and verify procedures. Some days we practice spacewalks for the International Space Station. I'm very lucky, I get to send my friends to space too.

©NASA/Josh Valcarcel

What's the most challenging part of training?

Operations in a spacesuit—spacewalks or EVAs (extravehicular activities). They're very long, risky events requiring extensive preparation. We train in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, a pool where we can simulate microgravity or lunar gravity. These are strenuous days with limited water and sometimes no food, and you're moving against water resistance in a weighted suit. Very mentally demanding, but the most rewarding and fun.

The other challenge is balance, something all parents understand. Balancing obligations with children and family can be challenging, just like any job.

How do you navigate being a mom and an astronaut?

I have tremendous support. This job emphasizes family support, especially when you launch. The astronaut office provides extensive resources so families feel connected to your mission. But the communities we're part of, like Awty, make it possible. Building relationships with teachers and staff who understand what our family goes through when we're separated is crucial.

How have you prepared your children for when you'll be away?

I talk about it often; it becomes part of their life. They understand when I have to be away and why I'm doing it. We have family friends living this experience too, so they see it in their community as a positive thing. It's just a discussion about understanding why and how to get through it.

Has motherhood changed your perspective on your work?

Being a parent changes you completely—your entire focus changes. But this lifestyle is really compatible with parenting because of the support provided. I think things have changed in positive ways. Hopefully my career and family will continue to grow together.

Why did you choose Awty's French Immersion Program?

I'm a Canadian Space Agency astronaut, and having two official languages has always been important to Canadians. I really wanted my children to have access to French and English growing up. I feel so lucky that Awty was available here in Houston.

What do you love about raising your family in Houston?

The diversity, people from all walks of life, all parts of the world. It's very international, and exposure to that is so valuable. The more differences kids experience early on, the better for their development. Houston really hits the spot for that. Plus, the music and food culture here is amazing and totally different than anywhere I've lived before. My husband, who is British, is especially fond of the curry options, and Aga's is a family favorite.

What inspired you to speak with our Early Learning students?

Outreach is part of my job. When I'm in Canada, I visit as many schools as possible to explain what we're doing in space, why we're doing it, and the benefits for people on Earth. It can spark interest in science and technology, and there are so many career opportunities related to space.

My child's teacher, Ms. Béatrice, was so enthusiastic about the idea, and Awty was incredibly open to it. It's also perfect for Houston kids; they're in the home of human spaceflight training. They can visit Space Center Houston and see the actual Saturn V rocket that took Apollo astronauts to the moon. Linking that history with today's space program is really cool for kids at any age.

What questions did the children ask?

Always fun ones! Questions about pets in space, animals, why the rocket fell apart after launch—we talked about how that was supposed to happen. Wonderful, curious questions about the technology, why we go, and what the moon is like.

The moon is such an important cultural thing in so many communities worldwide and has been for so long. How many people have looked at the moon and wondered how long it would take to get there? Through Apollo and future missions, we answer those questions. That's really unifying and cool.

What advice would you give young girls interested in STEM?

Make the link with things you're already interested in. Sometimes these professions have reputations that aren't accurate. Creativity was so important to me growing up. I loved to paint and create. Learning that engineering is problem-solving creatively with science to help people was so appealing.

Exposure to the profession matters. Speak to people who can explain what it's really like. See people similar to you in those roles. If it doesn't look like you fit the exact box, that might not be the case. There's so much more to these professions than first glance. Maintain your interest, foster it, and if you can, talk to someone in that field.

What would you like the Awty community to know?

We're really grateful to be part of this community. So much of space exploration supports our daily life: our food supply chain, monitoring climate indicators, and communication. All enabled by space assets and investments. I'm really happy to spread that information and answer questions.

We extend our deepest thanks to Jenni for sharing her time, her story, and her passion with our community. Her presence at Awty reminds us that inspiration lives all around us—in the parents who walk our halls, the families who share our values, and the community that supports one another in reaching for extraordinary goals. As Jenni prepares for her mission to the moon, she carries with her the support of the Awty community, and she leaves behind a generation of young Rams who now know that the stars are truly within reach.

January 2026 Articles