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Ex-NASA Scientist Aims to Democratize Space
6 Feb
Summary
- Former NASA AI lead seeks to simplify space exploration through accessible technology.
- She aims to create a 'Mac Operating System of space' for faster satellite development.
- Government funding uncertainty prompted her departure from NASA.
Evana Gizzi, a former NASA Artificial Intelligence Research Lead, has transitioned to the private sector, seeking to democratize space exploration. In January 2026, Gizzi departed NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where she had led efforts to establish an AI innovation hub and a dedicated lab for spacecraft autonomy.
Her departure stemmed from a lack of sustained funding and mandatory in-office requirements. Gizzi is now focused on her role as Strategic Research Advisor for the MIT Small Satellite Collaborative. She is working towards creating an open-source flight software stack powered by AI.
Gizzi envisions this as the "Mac Operating System of space," enabling researchers to rapidly develop and deploy new payload algorithms on satellites within days, even from remote locations.
