Throughout February, we celebrate Black achievement and reflect on the history of Black Americans. NASA is celebrating Black voices, including Gateway team members paving the way for future generations, during Black History Month.
As a vital component of Artemis, Gateway opens doors for human space exploration and investigations. Artemis missions on and around the Moon also include landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon. Gateway is NASA’s Moon-orbiting outpost and cornerstone of long-term deep space exploration. It is being built with the cooperation of international and commercial partners and the collaboration of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Meet Bianca Rhym, Electrical Engineer based at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, supporting Gateway’s Deep Space Logistics Project, which is developing a supply chain around the Moon.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month means a time to acknowledge and celebrate the presence, history, and contributions of Black people in the United States. Recently, I’ve heard people question the contemporary relevance of Black History Month. I attended two Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and I still learn Black History that’s new to me during every Black History Month. Black History Month will be relevant as long there’s more of that history to be uncovered, and even beyond that. There will always be a place and occasion to show a distinct respect and appreciation for the significant roles that Black people have played in American history.
How has diversity impacted your career?
My career has probably been more affected by lack of diversity. I’m always amazed at how many ‘Black firsts’ are still yet to happen. It’s hard to believe that NASA astronaut Victor Glover was the first Black International Space Station long-duration crew member as part of Crew-1 in 2021 and the first Black woman scheduled to be a crew member on a long-duration mission aboard the space station is NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins with Crew-4 in spring 2022. The upside is that I have opportunities to be a part of closing as many of the remaining “Black first” gaps as I can. So, I guess you can say that diversity provides me with some extra motivation in my career.
What has been your favorite memory while working at NASA?
That’s a hard question to answer because I already have a lot of good memories. One of my recent favorites is my first time working in the crew access arm at Launch Complex 39A at NASA Kennedy. I work with a team at Kennedy to deliver time sensitive supplies and payloads integrated into the SpaceX Dragon capsule. We observe the operations from inside the crew access arm. It’s a clean room area that’s 195 feet high with an amazing view of Kennedy and the beach. It’s breathtaking at sunrise and sunset.
Is there a Black leader, past or present, who inspires you?
I started to get more focused in life when I read Frederick Douglass’ autobiography. He was born enslaved, escaped to free territory, and started his own printing press before the age of 30. It inspired me to invest more of my energy into finding my own purpose. His birthday is celebrated on Valentine’s Day, but like many people who were enslaved, he didn’t know on which day he was born. That put the adversity that I’ve experienced in a new perspective. His story helped me to develop a more appreciative and optimistic view of the resources, opportunities, and potential that I have access to. It almost seems like a disrespect to the ancestors to squander them, and that often gives me an extra push when I need it.
To learn more about the Gateway Program, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/gateway