Sisterhood and Space: A Journey of Passion and Discovery
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Chapter 1: A Cosmic Connection
From an early age, I've linked my sister with the vastness of space. When I was just six and she was ten, we would gather on our bedroom floor, immersed in "The Big Book of Space."
"Wow, look at that!" I'd exclaim, pointing at the colorful swirls surrounding Jupiter's Great Red Spot. My sister, Marissa, would explain that it was a storm creating that mesmerizing swirl on the planet's surface.
"Check this out!" Marissa would say, flipping to a stunning two-page spread of the Milky Way, where the stars and cosmic dust contrasted vividly against the dark void.
Marissa attended space camp year after year in Hutchinson, Kansas. I fondly recall the drives with our parents to pick her up at the end of each summer, marveling at the astronaut food and pens in the Cosmosphere gift shop that could write in zero gravity.
Both of us had glow-in-the-dark stars plastered on our bedroom ceilings, and we would peer through a modest telescope, perfecting the art of squinting one eye to spot Venus among the stars. As we grew older, my interests shifted, but Marissa's passion for space never wavered.
Today, she is part of Virgin Galactic, previously known as The Spaceship Company. When Richard Branson journeyed to space on July 11, 2021, it marked not just a historic moment but also a dream realized for my sister, who contributed to the spaceship's creation.
My emotions swell when I reflect on this. I could listen to her discuss her work for hours, nodding along, even as I struggle to grasp the technical details, feeling a rush of pride for her achievement.
Yet, in solitude, I grapple with uncertainty. What ignites my passion? What is my purpose? How did Marissa discover hers by ten, while I am still searching at thirty?
Section 1.1: The Spark of Curiosity
I asked my sister how it all began. Marissa traces her fascination back to Mrs. Schwab's third-grade class.
"We studied the solar system, and that was the starting point," she shared, unable to pinpoint why, but clearly captivated by space from the outset.
She reflects on other paths she could have taken, like astrophysics, but there's no regret in her tone, only contemplation. I often ponder the various careers I might have pursued, echoing Robert Frost's metaphor of a fork in the road. Did I choose wisely?
Marissa speaks with assurance about a "vocational quiz" from eighth grade that suggested aerospace engineering, steering her toward her true calling.
I recall taking that quiz multiple times, always receiving results that felt slightly off. Depending on my mood, it suggested roles like lawyer, researcher, actor, writer, or doctor—none resonated deeply. For Marissa, however, it was clear.
She dedicated herself to a five-year aerospace engineering program at the University of Kansas, followed by a Master's at Purdue. Meanwhile, I dropped out of college around the same time she completed her Master’s. Though I had decent grades, my psychology major never felt quite right, much like the quizzes.
As Marissa relentlessly pursued her dream, I felt like I was idling, waiting for my own calling to manifest. I envied her unwavering commitment and wished I could feel that level of passion for anything.
The way I see it, life can be lived in two ways: one can love their work, which brings fulfillment and purpose, or work merely to get by while seeking joy outside of their job. I believe those who love their work are the luckiest of all.
Subsection 1.1.1: Diverging Paths
During my teenage years, I would have described us as diligent students, but our differences were stark. I was a cheerleader, worked at tanning salons, and focused on appearances, while Marissa was immersed in music and culture, always in comfy oversized clothes.
For years, I felt we had little in common, with our relationship fluctuating between harmony and distance, as we each battled our personal storms.
When Marissa became a parent to twins, I committed to reconnecting. The past few years have seen us share holidays and vacations, rekindling our bond. One evening, she revealed her non-binary identity, and rather than feeling alienated, I felt a swell of pride for her courage.
"It's kind of surreal yet mundane at the same time," Marissa described her experience at Virgin Galactic.
Watch Richard Branson fly to space on Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo! This video showcases the extraordinary moment when Richard Branson embarked on his historic flight.
Chapter 2: Finding My Own Space
Marissa’s journey led her to NASA Academy, a blend of internship and summer camp, shaping her into the professional she is today. However, she faced the dilemma of choosing between government employment and contracting roles, each with its own advantages and drawbacks.
Instead of letting the challenges deter her, she forged ahead, eventually working for ACE, a company that fabricates aerospace components.
“I knew every specification by heart,” she recounted, pride evident in her voice. This unexpected enjoyment in her work opened doors to her dream career.
Our conversation is briefly interrupted as one of the twins awakens from a nap. I smile as Marissa speaks to her child in a sweet tone.
“How did it feel to step into a real spaceship for the first time?” I asked, intrigued.
“Kind of unreal yet also everyday boring,” she chuckled, and I burst into laughter at the thought of a spaceship becoming routine.
The first spacecraft she entered was VSS Unity, the very one that would later transport Richard Branson to space. In just a week, she had explored multiple ships, focusing on specifications and enhancements.
I often envision my sister as the young girl with a space-themed bedroom, just as my daughter has today. What would twelve-year-old Marissa have thought of her future? She would probably have jumped for joy, hair bouncing in excitement.
Marissa refers to VSS Unity affectionately as “her,” and like many engineers, she prefers the nicknames over formal titles. One project she is fond of is Etta and Artie, two spaceships intended to be built side by side, named after Branson's grand-twins before receiving their formal titles.
“You sometimes forget perspective,” Marissa mused. “Stepping back to realize you’re part of history—that’s where the unreal comes from.”
Goosebumps cover my arms at her words.
Billionaire Richard Branson launches into space and says, 'It's the experience of a lifetime.' This video captures Branson's reflections on his incredible journey into space, emphasizing the profound impact of the experience.
Our discussion often turns to parenthood. Marissa's twins have a cardboard spaceship to play in and wear astronaut pajamas to bed, having already attended their first test flight at just two years old.
I ponder how inspiring it must be for them to have a parent involved in building spaceships. I recall a story from the night before Branson's flight—our parents told the twins to sleep well for the launch the next day.
“Another rocket?” one of them groaned, already accustomed to this extraordinary world.
Marissa takes her twins to gaze at the stars in areas free from city lights, lamenting the challenges of light pollution. I share with her the breathtaking view of the cosmos I experienced at Lake Powell, a stark contrast to the glowing skies of Phoenix.
Marissa knows that one day she will journey among the stars; it’s not a matter of if, but when. Tearfully, she imagines witnessing the footage from past space flights.
“The twins have been to space, though!” she beams, regaining her composure.
She had the chance to send personal items aboard VSS Unity, filling a small capsule with treasures—pictures of the twins, locks of their hair, baby fabric scraps, origami paper, and a special bracelet for a friend facing hardships.
As my throat tightens, I am reminded of Marissa's compassion, reflecting on the many people and things she cherishes beyond just space. Her journey has been filled with challenges and triumphs, leading her to a dream job that didn’t even exist when she first envisioned it at ten years old.
I contemplate my own winding path through life—overcoming setbacks, discovering new interests, and ultimately rediscovering myself. I realize that my own "Mrs. Schwab's third-grade class" might have been my freshman philosophy course.
Instead of trying to fit my passions into a career, I find joy in recognizing that my journey is uniquely mine.
Though my sister and I may lead different lives, I now see we share more common ground than I ever imagined.
In the past, I occupied my time with constant activities, always overwhelmed by commitments. I thrived on busyness, believing it was my identity.
However, I now recognize that my tendency to fill my schedule was a coping mechanism.
I spent my high school years focused on accomplishments—volunteering, scoring well on tests, and earning scholarships. In college, I juggled multiple jobs and extracurriculars, all while managing a heavy course load. I thought staying busy was beneficial—until it wasn’t.
I once viewed my decision to leave college as a failure, especially in comparison to my sister's clarity of purpose. Now, I appreciate the perspective gained through my journey, akin to how Marissa views her role in shaping the future of space travel.
Leaving college was my way of seeking my own space—not the cosmos, but the space to simply exist. I had spent years preoccupied with “what’s next?” while neglecting the present. Finding that space has led to clarity—understanding who I truly am, rather than who I thought I should be.
The white space I now see is like a blank canvas, and I have the tools to create. While I may not possess a singular passion, the spark of potential is within me, waiting to be nurtured.
Initially, that blank space felt daunting, much like how many feel when gazing up at the stars.
Yet now, that white space embodies the same boundless potential that outer space represents for my sister.