Aisha Bowe is one of America's most inspiring STEM figures — a former NASA rocket scientist turned entrepreneur, astronaut, and educator. Despite being steered toward cosmetology by her high school guidance counselor, Bowe defied expectations, earned two engineering degrees from the University of Michigan, and built a multi-million-dollar technology empire. In April 2025, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by flying to space with Blue Origin, cementing her place in history as the sixth Black woman to cross the Kármán line.
Early Life and Education
Aisha Bowe was born on November 4, 1985, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to a Bahamian family. She grew up in a working-class household where her father — who was simultaneously pursuing his own engineering degree — served as her greatest academic inspiration. When her high school counselor advised her to pursue cosmetology, Bowe enrolled instead at Washtenaw Community College, where a single mathematics course ignited her passion for engineering and changed the course of her life.
She subsequently transferred to the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering in 2008 and a Master of Science in Space Systems Engineering in 2009. During graduate school, she was mentored by Professor Thomas Zurbuchen, who would later become NASA's Associate Administrator for Science.
Career at NASA
After graduation, Bowe joined NASA's Ames Research Center in the Flight Trajectory Dynamics and Controls Branch, working on algorithms supporting air traffic management. In 2012, she received both NASA's Equal Employment Opportunity Medal and the NASA Engineering Honor Award. That same year, the National Society of Black Engineers honored her for Outstanding Technical Contribution.
STEMBoard and LINGO
Bowe founded STEMBoard, a professional advisory services company providing technology solutions to U.S. Government clients. The firm was named to the Inc. 5000 in both 2020 and 2023, received the Nunn-Perry Award from the U.S. Department of Defense in 2022, and secured a landmark $1 billion government contract. In 2022, she launched LINGO, an education-technology company that raised $2.3 million in 2024 and was featured in WIRED's best kids subscription boxes guide.
Blue Origin Space Flight (2025)
On April 14, 2025, Aisha Bowe flew to space on Blue Origin's NS-31 suborbital mission alongside Katy Perry, Gayle King, Amanda Nguyen, Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. She served as science payload operator for a NASA-partnered plant biology experiment studying how microgravity affects crop biology. She became the sixth Black woman to cross the Kármán line and the first Black woman confirmed to fly with Blue Origin. In May 2025, she signed with CAA for representation.
Net Worth
Aisha Bowe's estimated net worth in 2026 is approximately $5 million, derived from STEMBoard government contracts, LINGO funding rounds, brand deals with L'Oréal and Maybelline, speaking engagements, and her CAA representation secured after the historic Blue Origin flight.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Aisha Bowe
- Date of Birth: November 4, 1985
- Age (2026): 40 years old
- Birthplace: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Nationality: American (Bahamian-American)
- Education: BS & MS Aerospace/Space Systems Engineering, University of Michigan
- Profession: Aerospace Engineer, Entrepreneur, Astronaut, STEM Advocate
- Net Worth (2026): ~$5 Million
- Known For: NASA career, Blue Origin NS-31, STEMBoard, LINGO
