Susan Kilrain on Here is What It Really Takes to Fly to Space

What does it really take to become an astronaut—and what happens after you’ve lived that dream? In this compelling episode of Passion Struck, Commander Susan Kilrain—one of only three women to ever pilot the Space Shuttle—joins John R. Miles to share her extraordinary journey from small-town Georgia to the skies above Earth. A decorated Navy test pilot, aerospace engineer, and veteran of two shuttle missions,

Susan opens up about the grit it took to break barriers, the chaos of her first F-14 flight, and the unexpected challenges of raising a family while married to a Navy SEAL. She also discusses her inspiring children’s book, An Unlikely Astronaut, and why she believes the next generation needs to learn the power of resilience, curiosity, and dreaming big. This is a raw, inspiring, and deeply human conversation about identity, failure, reinvention—and what it really means to fly.

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Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Listen Notes, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. You can watch the interview on YouTube below.

Inside the Mind of an Astronaut: Susan Kilrain on Risk, Reinvention, and Resilience

In this eye-opening episode of Passion Struck, Commander Susan Kilrain pulls back the curtain on what it really means to operate at the edge of human performance—and still come home to do the grocery shopping. A veteran of two Space Shuttle missions and one of the few women to fly the F-14 Tomcat, Susan shares her raw and often humorous reflections on navigating male-dominated spaces, managing high-stakes aviation crises, and finding her footing again after leaving NASA.

But the conversation doesn’t end at liftoff. Susan dives deep into the identity shift that comes when elite careers end, the emotional complexity of parenting under pressure, and the quiet strength required to redefine yourself when the title is gone but life keeps going.

This episode isn’t just about flying to space—it’s about staying grounded when everything around you changes.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• “No” Isn’t Final – Susan explains how rejection from the Air Force led her to discover a path through the Navy, turning a closed door into a launchpad.
• Pressure Is Relative – Landing on an aircraft carrier? Terrifying. But parenting? Even harder. Susan offers a powerful reframe on what real resilience looks like.
• Fail Forward – Her first F-14 flight nearly ended in disaster—and became one of the best things that ever happened to her.
• Identity Is Not a Rank – Walking away from NASA was harder than flying into orbit. She reveals the mental toll of leaving a title and the path to personal reinvention.
• Adapt or Be Left Behind – From government-led launches to commercial space travel, Susan gives a sharp perspective on why risk tolerance, not tech, is often the biggest barrier.
• Purpose Evolves – Whether it’s raising kids or joining a venture capital firm, Susan shares why learning never stops—and why it shouldn’t.

WHY IS THIS EPISODE A MUST-LISTEN?

Because it’s not just about rockets and reentry—it’s about reinvention. Susan Kilrain’s story will challenge your assumptions about achievement, purpose, and identity. Whether you’re navigating your own career pivot, questioning your next chapter, or looking for evidence that resilience beats perfection, this episode offers clarity, depth, and motivation for anyone standing at their own crossroads.

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Why Haven’t We Gone Back to the Moon? Here’s What Susan Kilrain Thinks

It’s the question everyone loves to ask: We landed on the moon in 1969—why haven’t we gone back? In this episode, Susan Kilrain doesn’t shy away from the answer.

During our conversation, Susan explains that it’s not because we’ve lost the ability—but because our risk tolerance has changed. Back in the Apollo era, the mindset was: get it done, even if it’s dangerous. But today? Every risk has to be accounted for. Every system double-checked. Every variable controlled.

Plus, the goals have changed. This time, it’s not just about planting a flag. It’s about building a sustainable presence—possibly even creating a launch point to Mars. That means landing at the lunar poles, building infrastructure, and doing it all in a way that supports longer missions.

As Susan puts it, “We’re not just going back to collect rocks. We’re going back to stay.”

So yes, it’s complicated. Yes, it’s expensive. But most of all—it’s a different mission entirely.

Thanks, Susan Kilrain

If you enjoyed this interview with Susan Kilrain, let her know by clicking on this link and sending her a quick shout on Instagram

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RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW WITH SUSAN KILRAIN

Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!

1. Susan Kilrain’s Website
2. Susan Kilrain’s Instagram
3. Susan Kilrain’s LinkedIn
4. Buy Susan Kilrain’s Book ‘An Unlikely Astronaut’
5. APA’s recognition of mattering as critical to child mental health
6. Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
7. Listen to Passion Struck’s interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
8. Check out Passion Struck’s Episode Starter Packs on Spotify or Passion Struck starter packs to get started with the podcast.

About Today’s Guest, Susan Kilrain

Susan Kilrain is a retired NASA astronaut, Navy test pilot, aerospace engineer, motivational speaker, and author. She is one of only three women to ever pilot the Space Shuttle and the youngest person to do so. A veteran of two shuttle missions (STS-83 and STS-94), she has logged over 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft, including the F-14 Tomcat.

Susan holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Georgia Tech and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Today, she speaks globally on resilience, reinvention, and leadership, and is the author of the children’s book An Unlikely Astronaut.

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