Payton Barnwell

Payton Barnwell is a human spaceflight focused mechanical engineer with a degree from Florida Polytechnic University. Her passion for space exploration has brought unique opportunities such as working on innovative solutions to traditional astronaut nutrition at NASA Kennedy Space Center, designing an Air Force designated X-Plane hypersonic research program, and working on SpaceShip2 in the Mojave Desert with The Spaceship Company. Payton’s diverse aerospace experiences and research have shown her how important the cross-pollination of ideas and backgrounds are to move industries and societies forward. She hopes to utilize her multidisciplinary background and perspectives to improve humankind's experiences on Earth and in space. Payton’s side hobbies include communicating with other STEM enthusiasts on Twitter (@paytonbarnwell), year-long recruitment for the Brooke Owens Fellowship, and constantly attempting to be successful at homemade pasta making.