Monday, January 29, 2024, for the kickoff of Catholic Schools Week, Immaculata High School hosted a student assembly with a very special speaker, Samantha L. Testa ’12. Following her graduation from Immaculata High School, Samantha attended Villanova University earning a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.). Samantha is currently employed by NASA as the NASA Recovery Director for SpaceX missions with the Commercial Crew Program (CCP), which is responsible for flying astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). She coordinates and leads the NASA Landing Recovery Team responsible for the safe return of NASA astronauts coming home from the ISS after their mission.
She also supports the Commercial Crew Program (CCP) crew training Centrifuge Project as a hardware engineer, subject matter expert, and test subject. The Centrifuge Project trains astronauts in the physiological effects experienced during space vehicle launch, ascent, and re-entry due to the associated acceleration or G forces.
During the assembly, Samantha spent approximately forty-five minutes taking questions prepared and asked by the students in Immaculata’s Women in STEM club. She spent the time reflecting on her Catholic beliefs and foundation, as well as her time at Immaculata and how it prepared her for the role that she currently serves.
Samantha expressed her gratitude for her faith and family and how supportive her family has always been while chasing her dream to work for NASA. She explained how her grandfather was her greatest inspiration as he was not only an inventor, but he introduced her to the stars by spending time with her outdoors identifying constellations in the nighttime sky.
