It is no secret that women are especially underrepresented amongst the world’s most innovative industries, given the 47% gender gap in tech and science fields.

Within Space Exploration, only 11% of the total Space explorers been women.

Do women adapt in a worse way to microgravity environment presented by Space?

After studying and analysing the impact of spaceflight stressors for both genders, NASA and NSBRI concluded that the differences presented were not significant.

One key finding of this study is that women tend to present more orthostatic intolerance upon standing when they return to Earth, while men are more prone to present vision impairment issues in Space than women. Also, women present lower standard levels to which they can be exposed to radiation than men.

However, this study is not completely conclusive as it is flawed by data imbalance - the female population sample comprises of just 57 women, contrasting by 477 men who were in Space.

What is the root of this gender gap problem in Space?

Most significantly, the problem starts early on at school as girls are less likely to take science-related subjects,  known as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Only 27% of girls in high school consider careers in technology, compared to 60% of their male peers.

While at University, female students are 20% less likely to take STEM courses than their counterparts.

Women striving in Space

Though underrepresented, we should not forget the relevant contributions that women achieved for both space exploration and scientific research.

Let’s take the example of Chiaki Mukai who, having a medical professional background, was the first Japanese woman reaching Space, completing in total 566 hours in two separate missions, in 1994 and 1998. Under the JAXA Space programme, Mukai led investigations in Space Life Science and Microgravity Science.

Or consider Samantha Cristoforetti and Yelena Serova, who were recently in the International Space Station performing multiple scientific experiments in the lab onboard for about half a year. These were related to subjects, ranging from technology development, physical sciences, human research, biology, biotechnology to Earth observation.  

No doubt that these developments in Space will be translated positively into applications back to Earth.

Efforts towards gender diversity in the Space industry are ever more prominent

From Space exploration to STEM-related jobs and educational activities, organisations from the Space domain are increasingly encouraging women and young girls to become active participants.

ESA and NASA are leading this movement, by strongly promoting equal job opportunities across all fields and gender diversity initiatives.

NASA is now proud to say that its gender inclusive efforts have resulted in women representing now over one-third of its employees and having its first ever 50/50 gender-balance class of astronauts.

Among other qualities, women have been recognized for the way they communicate ideas, engage and help others in teams, as well as, their reinforcement in the generation of new approaches.

As organisations in the Space domain are well-aware of the advantages and talent brought by women - they realize the huge contributions that can make in innovation. 

But the first step is ... ? - Girls need to get involved in STEM courses at school.

Article written by Teresa Duarte @ VisionSpace