Month: March 2024

Meet One of NASA’s Newest Astronauts: Former Intern Deniz Burnham

Over the past two years, NASA’s newest class of astronaut candidates has undergone extensive training. Together, they’ve practiced for spacewalks in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, flown in T-38 jets, familiarized themselves with the International Space Station, learned the Russian language, and more. 

This class of twelve graduates includes a former NASA intern-turned-astronaut, Deniz Burnham. Burnham, who interned at NASA’s Ames Research Center, cites becoming an astronaut as a lifelong dream, and her internship as an important step in that process.

“That internship for me was such a wonderful experience too, because I was like, you know, hey, even if I don’t become an astronaut, I always wanted to be a part of NASA,” she said. 

In addition to her experience as a former NASA intern, Burnham is a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s in mechanical engineering. She’s also an experienced leader in the energy industry, having managed onsite drilling projects and oil rigs for over a decade, including the Arctic in Alaska, Northern Alberta in Canada, and Texas. 

Alt Text: NASA astronaut candidates Anil Menon, Deniz Burnham, and Marcos Berrios pose for a photograph in front of NASA’s Artemis I Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft atop the mobile launcher on the pad at Launch Complex 39B. The trio wear blue flight suits and smile. In the background the orange structure of the SLS towers open grass fields. Image Credit: NASA/Steven Seipel
Alt Text: NASA astronaut candidates Anil Menon, Deniz Burnham, and Marcos Berrios pose for a photograph in front of NASA’s Artemis I Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft atop the mobile launcher on the pad at Launch Complex 39B. The trio wear blue flight suits and smile. In the background the orange structure of the SLS towers open grass fields. Image Credit: NASA/Steven Seipel

In fact, she shares the experience she gained in oil fields as a part of her advice for others who wish to become astronauts. 

“Try to be your own person. There are so many skillsets and backgrounds that could lead to [becoming an astronaut],” Burnham said. “It’s how you articulate your skillset. Focus on something that other operators will recognize. [For example] working in remote locations and making time-critical decisions.”

When asked about her favorite part of her astronaut candidate training, she shared, “I’d say the favorite for me, just in terms of like a core memory, was getting to try on the suit for the first time. It’s something that you always picture in your mind. As a child, you know, you try to see yourself in the suits because you get to see all these pictures and then you actually get to try it on for yourself. And it was pretty incredible.” 

Alt Text: NASA's Astronaut Group 23 poses with NASA's leadershing in blue flight suits smiling. Behind them the U.S. flag dominates a hangar space filled with two jet aircraft. The group smiles at the camera. Image Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz
Alt Text: NASA’s Astronaut Group 23 poses in blue flight suits with NASA’s leaders. Behind them, the U.S. flag dominates a hangar space filled with two jet aircraft. The group smiles at the camera. Image Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

Want to learn more about our newest class of astronauts? Hear from the rest of Astronaut Group 23 “The Flies” in the latest episode of our Houston We Have A Podcast.

Interested in becoming an astronaut yourself? Check out these resources we’ve prepared on how to start down your path to space.