Amanda Knutson on Reaching for the Stars, the Moon, and Beyond
In the hands of visionary leaders and brilliant souls, adversities can become formative tools for success, greatness, and excellence. As a matter of fact, those who have reached the pinnacles of their careers have dealt with setbacks and hardships that eventually led them to the fruition of their dreams. Such is the case with Amanda Knutson, a senior airman in the US Air Force who continues to be relentless with her pursuits and undaunted in the face of challenges.
On a mission to go to the moon and beyond, Amanda Knutson has proven that there is no stopping her from accomplishing her goals and fulfilling her ambitions. As someone who has always been passionate about space and the world beyond this planet, she intends to venture into uncharted territories and discover more wonders of the universe.
“I want to make groundbreaking discoveries on the moon and help sustain future missions while also expanding our viewpoint from Mars to Jupiter and Saturn as well,” Amanda Knutson said. True enough, this go-getter’s vision is as vast as the galaxy she wishes to explore. “Unlike other people, I want to make my work and diagrams accessible to the public. In this way, others can use and improve my outputs and help us further our adventure into the cosmos,” she added.
Born and raised in the small town of Valders, Wisconsin, Amanda Knutson graduated in 2017 and would soon enlist as a Weapons Armament Specialist in the USAF for the F-35. Currently, she is working to earn her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering to complete her revolutionary and life-changing projects that include a hydroponics deep-space capsule and a “Space Depot,” which would serve as a gas station in outer space.
Determined to earn more experience in the astronaut industry, Amanda Knutson came upon the SENSORIA organization that works in partnership with the HI-SEAS facility to perform Analog Astronaut missions on the active volcano of Mauna Loa in Hawaii. After applying, she was then accepted to be a part of the second all-female crew that went on to go through intensive training and learning an arsenal of essential skills when working in a contained environment, such as dealing with water shortages, electrical power outages, and food rationing.
With no plans of slowing down anytime soon, Amanda Knutson will serve on another forthcoming SENSORIA mission this August at the LunAres Research Station in Poland. There, she will be working together with a specialized team developing mission standards for the program, including protocols for emergency EVAs, crew dynamics, and biological studies.
Proving to be unstoppable at her game, Amanda Knutson is going the extra mile in taking her career to even greater heights. Now, she is writing a book about her mission in Hawaii called “Together on Mars,” highlighting her and her crewmates’ achievements. On top of that, she is also a Cosmic Clothing Shop ambassador reaching out to others around her age and those in the STEM field looking for pathways to becoming an astronaut.
As can be gleaned from Amanda Knutson’s passion-filled journey, nothing can get in the way of anyone who chooses to take risks and step out of their comfort zones. In the coming years, this visionary envisions herself as a commissioned pilot, and someone whose designs, presentations, and partnerships have made a significant impact on the world.
Learn more about Amanda Knutson here.
