“I’ve been interested in astronomy since I can remember,” Atienza says, recalling her early years spent gazing at the night sky.
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“I’ve been interested in astronomy since I can remember,” Atienza says, recalling her early years spent gazing at the night sky.
Her original dream was to become an astronomer, not an astronaut.
Fast forward a few years and that dream led her to pursue a degree in applied physics. But like many of us, she faced a tough reality check—self-doubt. “I didn’t believe I was good enough for physics or astronomy,” she admits, her tone tinged with the vulnerability accompanying big life decisions. So, she shifted her career path and became a nutritionist, yet her love for space never fully left her orbit.
“Nutrition was very far from astronomy and space, so I thought it was a hindrance from what I really wanted. Later on, I realised it became my strength,” she says.
While spending most of her time in nutrition, Atienza stayed active in the space communities, refusing to…