March 13, 2026
On Thursday, Feb. 26, the Society of Women in Space Exploration (SWISE) invited Dr. Gretchen Green, a radiologist with more two decades of clinical experience, to share her journey to space and beyond. As one of just over 100 women to ever travel to space, Dr. Green uses her background as a scientist, explorer, and educator to uplift women in their pursuit for success in male-dominated fields.
SWISE President Natalie Byrd and Secretary Sumer Hernandez met Dr. Green over the summer at the International Space Development Conference, where she was presenting. After hearing about their student organization, Dr. Green expressed desired to support SWISE’s pursuit of empowering women.
“SWISE,” Byrd mentions, “is open to everyone who is excited for creating opportunities for women in STEM.”
With more than 40 spectators eagerly awaiting to meet her, the Blue Origin astronaut opened up about her triumphs, hardships, and dreams.
Dr. Green’s fascination with science and space began at a young age. For her, pretending to be a doctor wasn't just play, it was practice for what her life would become. Already set on a medical career and captivated by science, 11-year-old Green signed up for space camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center — the fourth ever held in existence. The camp took place in 1986, the same year as the Challenger disaster. Rather than discouraging her, the incident strengthened her resolve and inspired her belief that her path would one day lead to space.
The summer camp’s ratio—140 boys to 12 girls— reflected the challenges she and many others face as a woman navigating male-dominated fields. Dr. Green reminisced about how the camp fostered her lifelong appreciation for space and exploration, saying how she later returned as a crew trainer and eventually served as Chair of the Space Camp Alumni Association.
Her ambition led her to pursue a medical education at Brown, Harvard, and Yale before ultimately finding her career in radiology. Throughout her academic journey she co-authored two medical textbooks, conducted her own research studies, and established herself as a physician specializing in women's imaging and as a medical expert witness. Dr. Green also served on the Women Physicians Congress board of the American Medical Association and on the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation board.
As time passed and her career continued to develop, her dreams of going to space never wavered. On May 31, 2025, Blue Origin launched and completed its New Shepard Mission NS-32. Onboard, Dr. Green carried her childhood dream and all of her years dedicating herself for that very moment. From space camp to finally making it into orbit, Green could only capture her experience in three words: “It was perfection.”
Looking back on her journey — and the journeys of others who paved their own paths to space — Dr. Green’s research explored patterns of exploration, highlighting the mindset and impact of explorers. Her work also found that women often demonstrate strong qualities in communication, stewardship and service. Despite these strengths, women remain a minority in many fields. Green acknowledged that the challenges women face, especially in patriarchal societies, are often overlooked or minimized.
“We have a lot of work to do in a lot of fields for people to understand what that feels like and looks like,” Green says in response to a question on her experience in male-denominated fields of study.
Despite the obstacles she faced as a woman with an ambitious dream, Dr. Green ultimately accomplished what she had long set out to do. She hopes that everyone she encounters will never let go of their dreams. By sharing her journey, she believes she can inspire others to believe that anything is possible — even when the world thinks otherwise.
