After 37 years redefining the limits of space exploration at NASA, Costa Rican engineer Sandra Cauffman closed a historic chapter on August 8 to open a completely new one.
From the streets of Hatillo, where she grew up working as a child, to her office as Deputy Director of NASA’s Astrophysics Division at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., her career has been an extraordinary journey of personal and scientific transformation.
But this is not a farewell interview
This is the first meeting with the new Sandra Cauffman: free from structures, with decades of accumulated space wisdom and a bold vision for the future of Latin America in the exploration of the cosmos. What remains on the agenda of a woman who has already achieved so much? Cauffman told her this from her home in Arlington, Virginia.
A Mixture of Humility and Astonishment
Dr. Cauffman: What does this official retirement from the US space agency NASA mean to you personally and professionally? What thoughts and feelings are you currently experiencing?
“This is a completely new experience for me in every way, one that I hope to enjoy very much. Because I know I deserve it and because I know there are many people watching, and I can set a good example for everyone that life isn’t just about work”.
“These days, of course, one thinks a lot about the professional and personal path I’ve taken, about all the adventures my life has been. And I remembered, for example, the first time I entered a NASA control room, around 1988. Back then, I saw an entire team working together to observe the universe”.
“In that moment, I felt a mixture of humility and awe, and I thought, ‘This is where I belong, contributing my part to something bigger than myself.’ So many decades have passed since that moment, but it’s a memory I will cherish forever”.
“Of course, there were times in my career when I thought, ‘Maybe this path isn’t for me.’ Sometimes the challenges seemed enormous, and the cultural or gender differences weighed heavily”.
“But it was in those moments that I remembered where I came from, my mother’s strength, and how hard it had taken us to get here. That gave me the courage to continue.”
Sandra Cauffman’s Mom’s Faith
“My mom never talked to me about science with formulas or textbooks. But she always told me, ‘Nothing is impossible if you work hard and stay honest with yourself.”
“That conviction was what drove me to dare to study engineering and physics, and later, to believe I could make it to NASA. Her faith in me was the spark that lit it all. During my time at NASA, I remember feeling like I belonged the first time I saw a satellite launch into space. That’s when I knew I had put my all into making it possible”.
“But I also had many days of deep doubt, wondering if I was really cut out for this path. Over time, I realized that both emotions are part of the same journey. I also understood that belonging is born precisely from having faced and overcome doubt”.
“Of all the projects you’ve worked on, which ones do you treasure most and feel comfortable boasting about? Rather than bragging, I’d say there are two projects that gave me a lot of work, but also joy and enormous lessons: that’s why I like to share them”.
The Maven Mission
“The first is the Maven mission, launched in 2013 to study the atmosphere of Mars and understand why a planet that once had water ended up so dry and cold. This mission has orbited the Red Planet more than 22,000 times and is still active, sharing findings.
“For example, thanks to Maven, it was confirmed that the so-called solar wind (particles constantly thrown out by the Sun) was gradually pushing and forcing the Martian air to escape into space. This loss of the Martian atmosphere explains how the planet went from being a humid and possibly habitable world to becoming the frozen desert we know today”.
“From this mission, I personally learned the value of perseverance and collaboration. Projects of this magnitude aren’t achieved by the talent of a single person, but by diverse teams spread across the globe who are aligned with a common vision. In this case, we all wanted to know what happened in the Martian atmosphere and how that information could help us here on Earth to make better decisions”.
The GOES-R series of satellites
“The second was the GOES-R series of satellites, which changed the way we see and understand the weather in real time: their cameras and sensors capture images of the Earth every 30 seconds. And they do so with four times greater clarity and up to five times faster than previous satellites”.
“GOES satellites have enormous strategic value in the study and management of climate change because they are in geostationary orbit: they always observe the same region of the Earth”.
“This allows continuous monitoring of the atmosphere, oceans, and land surface in the Western Hemisphere. Without these constant observations, it would be impossible to detect long-term weather patterns”.
“GOES can track hurricanes, thunderstorms, fires, and even volcanic ash minute by minute. All of this gives meteorologists the ability to issue earlier and more accurate warnings that simply weren’t possible before. This allows science and governments to make data-driven decisions.”
“GOES-R was a complex program, and I had to lead key phases. A mission this innovative always faces risks, but the secret is learning to manage uncertainty. And doing so without losing course. Here I understood the superpower of resilience in the face of technical and bureaucratic setbacks.”
GOES Rocket Mission NASA Sandra Cauffman
Leadership Position
“It was also a major milestone for me to assume leadership positions such as Deputy Director of the Earth Science Division, and later, of Astrophysics at NASA HQ. In both cases, this meant moving from engineering specific projects to a strategic role, influencing the direction of all Earth Science and Astrophysics at NASA”.
“I don’t specify the exact number, but I can assure you that there weren’t many women not born in the U.S. in this position previously, if any. My time in Earth Science and Astrophysics taught me that leadership isn’t just about guiding technically, but also about opening spaces for new generations, listening to different voices, and being and bridging the gap between science, politics, and society.”
What Sandra Cauffman treasures
And, beyond the public spotlight, what moments do you cherish? “I’ll never forget that in the midst of a difficult handover, my team from the Earth Sciences Division gave me a card signed by everyone with words of gratitude for my leadership and support”.
“I felt that, as an engineer and as a woman, what truly remains is the human mark you leave on people, not just on projects. Another ‘silent reward’ for me was when a very young colleague told me: ‘Sandra, thanks to you, I decided I could also pursue this career.’”
“For me, that kind of personal recognition, as a woman paving the way, carries much greater emotional weight than any diploma hanging on the wall. That—building bridges—became part of my life motto. It broadened my perspective.”
And how or when did you realize that your job was no longer just a job. And that it had become a bridge paving the way for new generations?
“There was a very clear moment for me. After giving a talk at Intel around 2000, a girl came up to me and said, ‘I want to be like you. I want to work at NASA someday. At that moment, I understood that what I was doing was no longer just a job or a technical project. It was a mirror that other people could look into and believe that it was possible, too.”
Beyond Launching Satellites
“I felt, with complete certainty, that my responsibility wasn’t just to launch satellites or explore other planets. It was to pave the way and show by example that boys and girls from every corner of the world could dream big. Even children from Hatillo could dream big, as I had done myself. And that paving the way wasn’t just for children, but also for women in science and technology.”
Women, science, and technology: Do you think the time when these three words seemed incompatible is over?
“I think there’s still a long way to go, but there are already more paths to choose from. From my experience as a Latina woman in engineering, I learned that there’s a ‘secret code’ for navigating positions of power: combining technical excellence with quiet confidence and constant preparation”.
“It’s important to demonstrate knowledge and commitment, but also to learn to listen, to read the timing, to choose when to speak, and how to present my ideas so they are heard”.
“Another key aspect was building genuine alliances, supporting others, and accepting support when needed. Over time, I understood that breaking glass ceilings wasn’t just a matter of individual effort, but of building bridges, opening doors, and leaving space for other women and Latinas to reach further”.
Personal Life Sacrifice
What’s the awkward question no one asked you about your career? “For years, no one dared to ask me how much I had sacrificed my personal life to get to where I was, perhaps out of fear of the answer. Today, with the wisdom of retirement, I would answer honestly: yes, there were many great sacrifices; there were late nights, family absences, and moments when I doubted whether it was worth it”.
“But I also learned that every challenge taught me resilience, focus, and the importance of surrounding myself with supportive people. And above all, that sacrifices are more bearable when your work has a purpose that transcends your own interests: paving the way for others, for science, and for future generations.”
You’ve said you still have certain dreams to fulfill. What is the “pending goal” you plan to conquer in this new phase outside the space agency?
“After leaving NASA, I see my accumulated experience as an opportunity to embark on a personal mission. My unfinished dream is to see how my experience and learning can be multiplied by others.”
Sandra Cauffman’s New Path
And how will she do it?
“I’m going to launch a foundation to support young people, especially women and Latinas, in science, technology, and engineering. It will be radically different from what I was able to do within the agency because now I have the freedom to choose priorities, collaborate with any institution or person who shares the vision, and comprehensively combine education, mentoring, speaking engagements, and advising startups.”
“I don’t depend on bureaucratic processes or the agency’s internal objectives: I can design a direct, flexible, and creative impact, focused exclusively on opening opportunities and empowering new generations”.
What do you need? Are you recruiting sponsors? Donations? Volunteers? How can those who trust you and want to join this new initiative support you? What are the requirements?
“There are several key aspects I must consider, both legal and strategic, as well as how individuals and organizations can join. I need a team that shares the vision of paving the way for others, that dares to dream big, and that, at the same time, is practical and committed to achieving tangible results. The combination of talent, values, and passion is what makes any mission successful”.
“In this new ‘mission team’ outside of NASA, I am looking for people with diverse profiles: passionate leaders, technical experts, educators, communicators, and mentors. But beyond experience, the qualities I value most are curiosity, creativity, resilience, and the ability to work in a team with trust and respect. I also need strategic sponsors such as technology companies, universities, NGOs, and multilateral agencies interested in STEM and inclusion”.
“These can provide initial funding, infrastructure, or joint scholarships. Of course, individual donations are welcome. This could be by enabling a secure donation mechanism (e.g., PayPal Giving Fund, GoFundMe Charity, or directly on the foundation’s website). Volunteers are always needed.”
“STEM professionals willing to provide mentoring, and of course, young university students who can provide support with logistics, social media, or workshops. Other partner networks, such as Ministries of Education, science and technology programs, associations of women in STEM, and alliances with existing foundations, can collaborate on scholarships and internships”.
“In short, I need a solid legal structure, strategic sponsors, a network of donors and volunteers, and, above all, partners who share my mission by supporting and committing their time, talent, or resources, according to the capabilities of each person or organization.”
Final Message
And for the young people of Latin America who see you as their guiding light, how can they join what you are building now? What do you expect from them and what do you offer them?
“Very easy! The way to join is to actively participate in the programs and opportunities we will develop through the Foundation: educational projects, mentoring, talks, advice on entrepreneurship and innovation”.
“I hope you bring your curiosity, your passion, and your desire to learn and contribute; Let them dare to imagine and propose solutions, without fear of making mistakes”.
“In return, I offer them guidance, tools, support networks, and the opportunity to transform their ideas into concrete results, building together a future where science, education, and creativity are accessible paths for all. I’m counting on them! If I were to compare this new personal phase to a space launch, what phase are you in today: countdown, ignition, or already in orbit?”
“I would say I’m in the ignition phase. The countdown is over, the engines are on, and all the energy and preparation accumulated over the years is being channeled toward takeoff”.
“The foundation, educational activities, mentorship, and support for entrepreneurship are the fuel that will take me to new orbits, where I could impact and pave the way for others, just as science paved the way for me.”
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