🎙️ Ep. 3 - Bootstrap to the Stars: Creating Pathways to Space with Martina Dimoska

Guest: Martina Dimoska – Analog astronaut, engineer, STEM educator, and advocate for inclusion in space.

Summary:

In this powerful episode, Aisha sits down with trailblazing space researcher Martina Dimoska. From growing up in Macedonia with her sister to becoming the first female Balkan analog astronaut, Martina shares her deeply personal path into space exploration. This episode dives into accessibility in science, creating your own support bubble, and building bridges for underserved communities to reach for the stars.

Martina also discusses her work with the International Space Alliance, her viral outreach as @astro_smarta, and how living through hardship shaped her relentless curiosity and resilience.

🔗 Universal Inclusion Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/universal_inclusion/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/universal-inclusion-ui/

Time Stamps / Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction

Aisha introduces the show and Martina's pioneering background.

01:34 – The Ultimate Pursuit of Truth

Martina shares how growing up with her sister fueled her love for solving problems and seeking truth through science.

03:02 – Creating a Bubble of Inclusion

How creativity, imagination, and resilience became a foundation for hope in a society that didn’t embrace difference.

06:40 – The Power of Analog Missions

Martina reflects on becoming the first Macedonian analog astronaut and what it means to simulate life on Mars.

10:55 – Space Belongs to Developing Regions Too

Expanding space access for underrepresented countries and launching the International Space Alliance.

14:20 – Going Viral as @astro_smarta

How her outreach on social media is sparking interest in space among youth, especially girls, in Eastern Europe.

17:05 – Lessons from Hardship

Martina opens up about the pain and power that shaped her, and how she uses her story to inspire others.

20:42 – What’s Next?

Future goals, bridging academia and activism, and advice for young people who feel like outsiders in STEM.

👤 Guest Bio

Martina Dimoska is an award-winning research scholar, engineer, and pioneering space explorer.

As the first Macedonian and female Balkan analog astronaut, she has served on many Space Agency-funded missions and holds a Suborbital Space Flight Certification as a Senior NASTAR Ambassador. Martina is the National Point of Contact for the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) for North Macedonia and in 2022 received their Emerging Space Leader Award.

She is the Founder and President of the International Space Alliance, bridging the gap between agencies, industry, and academia to expand space opportunities in developing regions. As a passionate STEM educator, Martina promotes diversity and inclusivity in space exploration through workshops and global outreach under the popular handle @astro_smarta.

🔗 Guest Links

• Instagram: @astro_smarta
• LinkedIn: Martina Dimoska