The Modern Pioneer, Propelling America Forward

6 months ago
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In 2006, a pine-sized blonde second grader stood on the playground of the Pine School in Stewart, Florida. Her eyes wide with wonder as she watched a space shuttle ascend, a thunderous chariot blazing its way into the cosmos. The ground quaked beneath her feet, and the air vibrated with raw energy.
For many, such a spectacle is a fleeting marvel, a momentary brush with the extraordinary. But for Brianna Gagliardi, it was a catalyst, igniting a passion that would shape her destiny. While countless individuals spend their evening gazing at the stars, tracing the silent glide of satellites, or marveling at the occasional meteor streaking across the sky, few take the leap from wonder to action.
Only about 0.019% of the U.S. population pursues careers in aerospace engineering, embodying the pioneering spirit that has driven humanity to explore uncharted territories. Bri is among this select group, modern embodiments of the go-west young man ethos that once
spurred adventurers to traverse unknown frontiers, always wondering what was over the next hill. From that pivotal day, Brianna's trajectory was clear.
Her aptitude for mathematics led her through advanced courses through her schooling. Eschewing the familiar warmth of Florida, she ventured to the University of Colorado Boulder, a testament to her adventurous spirit. Initially inclined toward nuclear engineering, day two of college, she boldly switched to aerospace engineering, embracing the challenges and wonders
of the field without hesitation, and she has never looked back. Today, Brianna, still pint-sized, stands as a trailblazer in an industry predominantly occupied by
men, with 80 to 90% of aerospace professionals being male. Undeterred, she contributes her expertise to the development of propulsion systems, specifically the RL-10 upper stage engine and the RS-25, a booster engine. These very technologies, like dragons breathing fire, hurl satellites and spacecraft beyond Earth's bondage and into the void, ensuring they remain
steadfast in their orbits. Her work is not merely about exploration. It's about fortifying America's position in the burgeoning space race, particularly as nations like China accelerate their extraterrestrial ambitions. In this modern contest of innovation and determination, professionals like Brianna are holding the line, ensuring that the United States remains at the forefront of space
exploration and technology. Bri is not just an engineer. She is a modern-day pioneer, cut from the same cloth as the great explorers of old who set sail for unknown lands and the rugged frontiersmen who pushed westward, refusing to let the horizon be the limit of their sight. The frontier has changed, but
the fire within those who chase it has not. And for those who believe space is an afterthought, a luxury, an indulgence, we are already standing on the shoulders of those who dared to leave Earth behind. The very fabric of our daily lives, our technology, our materials, our future has been shaped by those who reach beyond our atmosphere. NASA's innovations alone have seamlessly integrated into our daily routines, often in unexpected ways. For instance, memory foam, cordless tools, scratch-resistant lenses. The question has never
been, why go? The question is, what happens if we don't? If America stops pushing into the unknown, others will take our place. If we stop reaching, stop questioning, stop forging ahead, we were surrendering not just the next great frontier, but the very essence of what makes us who we are, explorers and adventurers.
Brianna and those like her are the guardians of that legacy. They're the ones who keep the engines roaring, the rockets rising, and the dreams alive. Brianna's world isn't just about numbers and formulas, it's about the raw power of fire and thrust, the delicate ballet of orbital mechanics, and the audacity of mankind to break free from gravity itself. She is part of the 0.019 percent, the rare minds that don't just dream of the stars, but engineer the fire and fury that carries us to them. And it all started with a little blonde-haired girl standing in a Florida schoolyard, watching a space shuttle disappear into the sky, and deciding to follow it. Because humanity was never meant to stay grounded, we were meant to rise.

Maureen Steele’s passion for the written word is matched by her love of the country she roams. Her descriptive style has promoted and chronicled national movements, including The People’s Convoy where she also journeyed long miles in the cab of a big rig. Contact Maureen Steele of AMERICAN MADE on X @MaureenSteele_
or [email protected]
Second in a series of personal essays on hardworking Americans who proudly live and breathe freedom in their lives and their work.
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Contact Maureen Steele: [email protected]

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