FORT KENT, Maine — Young people interested in space, science and engineering have an opportunity to meet aerospace engineer and analog astronaut Makiah Eustice during a live virtual presentation at the Fort Kent Public Library from 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Eustice will present “From Maine to the Moon to Mars” in the library’s C3NT3R Access Point at 1 Monument Square. Reaching out live from California, she will speak through ZOOM about her journey into aerospace and the many different careers the world needs to return humans to the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars.
Eustice appears in the July edition of National Geographic in an article entitled “Beyond Earth” that focuses on analog astronauts and their exciting work.
Library Director Andrew Birden said, “Anyone can attend, but we hope young people, ages 8–19, will come to this event, including those who may be curious about space but have not yet considered themselves scientists or engineers.”
Eustice earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University and is pursuing graduate studies in materials engineering. Her career has included work as an Air Force officer and flight test engineer, including testing satellite communications equipment aboard a WC-130J aircraft used by the Hurricane Hunters.
As an analog astronaut, Eustice has lived and worked as part of crews conducting simulated missions to Mars and the Moon. These Earth-based missions allow researchers to study how crews, equipment and procedures might function during future space exploration. Her experience includes serving at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, commanding a student analog mission and joining the first all-women Sensoria mission at the HI-SEAS habitat in Hawaii.
In 2025, Eustice participated in the Aurelia Institute’s Horizon Zero Gravity Program. During a parabolic flight, she operated an experimental microfluidic system designed to support biological research under microgravity and deep-space radiation conditions.
Eustice also founded student programs, conducted STEM outreach and advocated for making space exploration accessible to people with many different talents and backgrounds.
Her presentation will highlight careers extending beyond the traditional image of an astronaut. Space exploration also needs programmers, machinists, biologists, artists, medical specialists, communications professionals, technicians and researchers.
For additional information, contact the Fort Kent Public Library at 207-834-3048 or fortkentpubliclibrary1@gmail.com.
