The next generation to go into space will be vastly different from those who first took that flight into the heavens.
“We are product of our own environment. We should be inspired to do things we want do to,” said Kiah Erlich, Head of Astronaut Sales and Corporate Partnerships for Blue Origin and the 2022 AZCREW Woman Icon speaker.
“What is in the realm of possibility is much greater than we can imagine. The Earth is finite. The solar system has abundant resources, and we should be doing everything we can for the benefit of Earth.”
There have been more than 600 astronauts in 61 years of the U.S. space program, she said. And at a cost of $55 million to $90 million to send a person to the stars, it’s not cheap. Women, she said, will be leading the charge.
“In 2021, out of 79 astronauts, 12 percent were women. Of 65,000 airline pilots, just 9 percent are women,” she said. “They (women astronauts) are the best and the brightest. They are the ones who will forge forward and be the next generation to look up to.”
Among the topics covered at the sold-out, standing-room-only Oct. 12 event at Arizona Country Club was the intersection between space and real estate. At the center will be Orbital Reef, a commercially developed, owned, and operated space station to be built in low Earth orbit.
Orbital Reef will feature a mixed-use business park in space. It is scheduled to be complete in the second half of this decade.
“Think about the commercial uses,” she said. “Space for research and development; marketing and PR; a hotel; and even concerts.”
What will be the benefits?
“Radical launch cost reduction, the ability to utilize in-space resources, and establishing the next generation to go to space,” Kiah said.
But don’t just take our word for it, those in attendance were dazzled and impressed with Kiah as well.
“This event was so unique. Kiah’s presentation on Orbital Reef is a completely new concept of what real estate can be in the future. It was refreshing to hear about a new angle on commercial real estate – it really got the entire room energized and imagining what it will be like for generations to come. I’m so proud of AZCREW for hosting programs like these that no one else is doing.” – Samantha Pinkal, GPEC
“What an out-of-this-world experience at yesterday’s AZCREW Woman Icon event. The energy generated by some of Arizona’s strongest CRE females was palpable. Thank you to some of my industry bests who joined me for great conversation and inspiration! #womenincre” – Stephanie Handley, Clayco
“It was super cool to meet Kiah after the event. I got postcards for my girls to fill out and send in to go up in the next launch. My mind is blown. Keep up the inspiring work Kiah, Blue Origin and AZCREW.” – Melissa Johnson, Danson Construction