In today's episode, Nancy Vermeulen and I talked about being the captain of your own ship and NOT letting the sky be the limit!
Nancy Vermeulen is a Commercial Pilot Instructor, Master's in Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, commanded a Mars simulation in Utah, and participated in the 2008 ESA astronaut selections.
Bringing the universe closer to people and vice versa is her personal mission. For that reason, Nancy was the first in Europe to put together a non-governmental training program to prepare potential astronauts for private space flights. The kick-off was in 2011 when Nancy gave training to a future private astronaut from Virgin Galactic.
In 2018 she founded the "Space Training Academy".
Nancy was the commander and chief organizer of the Mars simulation mission "MDRS90". She initiated this project, submitted it to Mars Society - NASA and obtained permission to lead a team on a "Mars Simulation Mission" at the "Mars Desert Research Station" in Utah, U.S.A.
During the mission, she learned how to conduct science experiments during a mission and what to do in an emergency.
As a scientist, Nancy has conducted research at the University of Antwerp (Biomedical Physics) and at the Technical University of Delft (new technologies for greener air traffic). For the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium / Solar-Terrestrial Center of Excellence, Nancy Vermeulen collaborated on a new instrument to measure climate change from space. She also teaches physics and mathematics.
As a child, Nancy already knew what she wanted to be: "Spaceman". In her spare time, she worked at the Public Observatory and the Planetarium of Antwerp. She completed her academic study Physics and Astronomy at the University of Antwerp magna cum laude / with great distinction.
Nancy Vermeulen is a Master of Science in Physics.
Learn more about Nancy Vermeulen at NancyVermeulen.be