Alex Coultrup
Satellite Servicing + Commercial Space Policy
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Human-Centered Design + Astrosociology
Hello! I'm a recent M.S. graduate establishing my career in the space industry. I’m a student pilot, an internationally competitive athlete, and a homeschool and community college alum who advocates for students on non-traditional academic paths.
As I build my career, I'm finding ways to apply my skills while doing meaningful work with others who share my values. I believe that a better world is possible, a world where sustainability and equity have shifted from an aspirational goal to the norm.
During this early-career time, it can be hard to balance ongoing professional development with personal growth. Outside of work, I’m an athlete, a sailor, a musician, a gardener, and wannabe chef (send me recipes to try!)
While work is an important part of life, I strive not to make my career my entire identity. Keeping track of personal milestones of all kinds helps me stay grounded and reminds me that being a well-rounded person is the most important job skill of all!
See below for some of my favorites...
Personal Milestones
2021
Served as Health & Safety Officer for simulated space mission to Mars Desert Research Station. Conducted Astrosociology and materials research
Details
2020
Started work on Nanoracks' Outpost Program, learning and working on orbital infrastructure.
2020
One of 30 students selected to the 2020 cohort of the
Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program.
2019
Finished
Grad School!
2019
Ever since an intro to Aviation Human Factors class in community college, I knew I wanted to earn a graduate degree in HF.
Five years later, it felt GREAT to finish the job.
2019
Working with
Spacesuits!
2019
As part of my grad school research, I worked hands-on with a high-fidelity IVA spacesuit, including training, safety, operations, and maintenance protocols.
"The Rowing Channel" live regatta webcast
2019
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I am deeply committed to serving the rowing community, especially as a member of TRC’s webcast/regatta operations team. In 2019, we facilitated all live broadcast operations at Head of the Charles including networking, announcing, commentary, social media, etc.
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2019
Space Science
Guest Lecturer!
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2019
I loved being a guest lecturer at Astronomy on Tap - Space Coast and sharing about human-centered design of spaceflight systems.
ISU Commercial Space Studies program
2019
2019
ISU’s commitment to interdisciplinary space education matches my vision of an inclusive future for the space industry. This program focused on the business/markets, policy, and economics of space systems
2019
My first Publication!
2019
I learned SO MUCH while interning at CSIS and contributing to this report. The military/security world isn’t my area of interest, but it was a great educational experience.
2018
Learned to Sail
2018
Thanks to rowing, I’ve spent a lot of time in boats - but until recently, not sailboats! Since volunteering as a spare hand at Melbourne Yacht club a few years ago, I’ve been regularly sailing in regattas and scrimmages.
2019
2018
My first
Half Marathon
2018
My first half marathon! Long story short, buy shoes with good support, people!
2017
Started
Flight Lessons
2017
As a kid, I wanted to be a firefighter, then an astronaut, then a pilot, which eventually set me on my path to Human Factors. After years of waitressing and saving, I started lessons at KMLB!
2017
Raced
Head of the Charles
2017
Head of the Charles is the biggest, most well-attended rowing regatta in the world. My brother and I hope to make a tradition of racing it together.
2015
US National Team
2015
I was selected to the US Rowing women's national team and represented Team USA at the world rowing championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
The Rowing Section!
In 2012, I walked on to the novice rowing team at Orange Coast College and never looked back, following the sport wherever it led me all over the country and the globe, finally ending up in Melbourne, Florida.
I’ve been very privileged to train under some of the best coaches in the nation, who developed me from a clunky, uncoordinated beginner with persistence as my only skill, into an internationally-competitive athlete with knowledge of my own to share.
After competing on the US national team, I worked as a coach for my first few years after college, learning a lot about myself while juggling the logistics of travel and event registration of a 90-student high school team.
Prioritizing rowing over undergraduate internships and other job opportunities set my grad school and career timeline back by a few years. But this part of my life was incredibly unique and formative - an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything.
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After a five-year break from rowing to recover from a catastrophic injury and regain my footing, I'm so happy and grateful to be a member of the Potomac Boat Club's competitive women's team. Returning to the joy rowing brings me has been a meaningful transformation in my day-to-day life, and I love the community I'm building.
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Today, I also remain involved in the rowing community by working and volunteering in regatta operations and broadcasting, helping maintain equipment, and mentoring and connecting undergraduate women at my community college with resources in their academic journeys.
Orange Coast College Rowing Team, Newport Beach, CA, 2012 Fun fact: OCC is the only community college in the country with a competitive rowing team!
Southern California Scullers Club, Huntington Beach, CA, 2013 SCSC is the high-performance group where I trained during summer and winter breaks during college.
Team Coultrup at Head of the Charles Regatta, Boston, MA, 2017 My brother and I hope to make a tradition of racing HOCR together!
Orange Coast College Rowing Team, Newport Beach, CA, 2012 Fun fact: OCC is the only community college in the country with a competitive rowing team!
Hanging out on the roof of Cambridge Boat Club, scanning for boats with the live webcast team during Head of the Charles 2019
Volunteering in 2017
Quick Shoutout to Public Radio
I worked at WFIT 89.5 FM as the station intern in 2016, and still regularly visit to volunteer, say hi to the foster kittens, and keep in touch with my old bosses, Theresa and Pam.
I got so much good community experience there - connecting with local businesses and charitable organizations, giving kids tours of the studio, reading the news on-air, curating music, and recording public service announcements.
WFIT is the space coast's only public radio station, and provides an incredible service to the community in the form of delivering local and national news, creating space for local interest programming, booking otherwise inaccessible guest speakers for local events, and giving local musicians a platform. I'm really proud to be part of such a great team!
Interning at WFIT 89.5 FM in 2016