A 17-year veteran of the military, Estes holds an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from West Point, a master’s degree in Computer Science from NC State University and a Ph.D. in Human-Centered Computing from the Georgia Institute of Technology. With a lifelong goal of becoming an astronaut, she has faced many hurdles and challenges, never allowing her size or gender to dictate what she could or couldn’t accomplish.Overcoming great odds, Estes was in one of the earliest classes of women to qualify to fly the Apache helicopter and was the third woman in history to serve as an Apache helicopter instructor pilot. She managed the largest airfield in Kuwait, served as a battalion officer, and a platoon leader.Throughout Estes’ life her ability to transfer knowledge to others has been paramount. Her ability to lead with knowledge and confidence has helped advance women’s position in the Army, the knowledge of future generations in the classroom, and her impressive personal educational journey. In addition to being a Lieutenant Colonel (promotion to Colonel to take place in 2019) in the US Army, she also serves as an Associate Professor teaching Computer Science at the United States Military Academy in West Point, where she is the Program Director for the Information Technology major.“Shoot for the moon and if you miss, at least you’ll hit the stars,” she said, reflecting on her passion for space. “For me, it has been a wild ride. It’s not been easy but the rewards are worth all the work.“