The Importance of Encouraging Children to Shoot for the Moon

Children are sponges, they absorb what we say and do. Our actions and words can greatly influence and inspire their young minds, and ultimately their future. Knowing this, we should always strive to make a positive impact. This doesn’t mean we have to censor ourselves; but instead lead by example to help them reach their full potential.

I recently heard a wonderful story about how one of Virgin Galactic’s college interns discovered her passion for space. In 2004, when Barbara Schloss was 11 years old, her ‘space geek’ parents took her and her brother into California’s Mojave Desert to watch SpaceShipOne attempt to win the XPRIZE. They drove from Los Angeles, bunked down overnight at a motel, and woke up just before dawn to set up for the event. Bundled under multiple blankets to combat the cold desert morning, Barbara and her family witnessed the historic space flight.

She explained: “I could hardly contain my excitement. I remember watching WhiteKnightOne take off and then waiting, for what felt like forever, for SpaceShipOne to separate and fire its rocket engine.” Of course, that day SpaceShipOne

reached space and entered the history books for being the first privately-funded spacecraft to carry astronauts to space, thereby winning the Ansari XPRIZE.

By exposing her to the XPRIZE – a prize that encourages radical breakthroughs for the benefits of humanity – Barbara’s parents unknowingly sparked her life’s passion. Barbara claims to have enjoyed math and science since before she can remember, but on that day she set her sights on becoming an aerospace engineer.

Today, Barbara is a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and interns at Virgin Galactic where, as a member of the Advanced Programs group, she works on the liquid propulsion system for LauncherOne – Virgin Galactic’s launch vehicle for small satellites. She said, “I still have WhiteKnightOne and SpaceShipOne painted on my closet at home, but working on the real thing is infinitely better.”

Children are often told ‘you can’t do this,’ ‘you shouldn’t do that,’ and ‘that is out of your reach.’ Youth is an incredible thing; it spurs confidence, vitality, drive and a fresh outlook. When allowed to, children can be unstoppable; so let’s expose them to the opportunities and support they need to achieve the seemingly unachievable. I’ve always had a soft spot for dreamers – not those who waste their time thinking ‘what if’ but the ones who look to the sky and say ‘why can’t I shoot for the moon?’

Thank you, Barbara, for your work at Virgin Galactic. We’re proud to have you on the team! Good luck in your final year at MIT and for your future travels into space.