Draft:Martina Dimoska

Martina Dimoska (born March, 22) is the first female Balkan Analog Astronaut, an engineer, an innovator, an awarded published research scholar, and a pioneering figure in space exploration nationally, regionally, and internationally.

As a STEM educator and content creator, Martina promotes diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of life, especially in space exploration with the handle @astro_smarta across social media platforms.

Analog Astronaut Missions, Astronaut Training & Spaceflight Training

File:Martina Dimoska in NDX Blueberry Space Suit on UND ILMAH 14 Mission

Martina Dimoska started her Astronaut Training journey by obtaining an NAUI Open Water Diving Certification, diving in cold temperatures in German Lakes in winter at Black Sam Bellamy Dive Resort. NAUI is favored by organizations such as the United States Navy SEAL Teams and NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston, Texas, where astronauts train for spacewalks.

In her Spaceflight and Astronaut training journey, Martina became NASTAR Center Suborbital Space Flight Certified, earning her wings and afterward, she became the first NASTAR Senior Ambassador. The NASTAR Center was selected because of the Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) program for commercial aviators and training of astronauts from the likes of NASA, SpaceX, Axiom Space, and Virgin Galactic.

To qualify both for training and high-fidelity Analog Astronaut Missions Martina has successfully passed a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Medical Exam and has a Medical Certificate that pilots must use.

Martina had an introduction to Human Spaceflight and the importance of Analog Astronaut Missions while attending the Masters of Space Studies at the International Space University and studying 'Human Performance in Space Exploration'. Then she passed the Austrian Space Forum OeWF - Analog Mission Basic Training (ABMT). At the International Space University (ISU) during her course work, Martina led a student group to maintain and equip the SHEE (Self-Deployable Habitat for Extreme Environments) habitat at ISU mentored and supervised by experts and professors.

She became the first Macedonian Analog Astronaut and the First Balkan Analog Astronaut serving on UND ILMAH 14 (Integrated Lunar Martian Analog Habitat) supported by NASA, CSA, Simon Fraiser, and the University of North Dakota, as a part of their 14th mission as a Science Officer. Two research experiments were conducted on the ISS, for which this Analog was a test bed: CardioBreath and Еxolab, amongst many other research experiments on board.

Her second mission, called APICES (Astroland Project Inside Caves for Earth-based Space Exploration) organized by ESA BIC and Supported by ICEE.Space and Astroland Interplanetary Agency. Her primary role was a Crew Engineer and her secondary role was a crew Outreach Lead, because of her social media experience. The mission was held in a National Protected Park within a Cave, with Distinguished Mission Commander, the ESA Astronaut Reservist Ales Svoboda.

Martina's third Mission was called SELENE, where she served as a Mission Commander in the LunAres Habitat, in a world-war two bunker reused for Space Exploration in Poland. Because of her excellence and performance as a Commander Martina earned a role to become a LunAres Ambassador.

International Recognition

Martina is widely recognized as a space pioneer by prominent programs and organizations such as Forbes, Bloomberg Adria, Huffington Post, UNDP, UN, UN Women, OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe), Pineapple Empire, Al Jaizira, TED, TEDx, and others.

She serves as a Google Women Techmaker Ambassador, has spoken at TEDx events three times, and has been honored with numerous awards, including multiple nominations for Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe and recognition as Woman or Scientist of the Year.

Notably, she received the Emerging Space Leader award from the International Astronautical Federation and currently acts as the National Point of Contact for the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) for North Macedonia.

She is also a part of the cohort of the ASCEND Diverse Dozen (12) cohort established by Moriba Jah and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

Social Entrepreneurship

Martina is actively reshaping the space ecosystem in the Balkan and Eurasian regions and making significant contributions to developing and emerging space sectors globally through social entrepreneurship. She is the Founder and acting President of the International Space Alliance, an organization bridging gaps between agencies, industries, and academia to foster space opportunities in developing regions and promote equitable access to space exploration.

NASA Contracts & Involvement

The largest annual hackathon, known as the NASA Space Apps Challenge program, was previously administered by NASA's Office of the Chief Information Officer and is now part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate and the Open Government Initiative, supporting the United States’ commitments to the Open Government Partnership. Space Apps is overseen by NASA's Science Mission Directorate’s Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. It is executed through contracts with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse, in collaboration with other prominent space agencies worldwide.

Martina Dimoska achieved 1st Place - Galactic Impact Award at the NASA Space Apps Challenge Skopje in 2014 as a member of Team Lambda. She mentored the NASA Space Apps Challenge Skopje from 2015 to 2019 before transferring to the NASA Space Apps Challenge Cleveland, where she joined the Core Organizing Team. This location was the sole partner of NASA Glenn Research Center at the time.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Martina assumed leadership from the retiring local lead to sustain the event. She implemented innovative strategies, becoming the first Female Macedonian Contractor and direct contractor with NASA Glenn Research Center in 2021. Martina served as the Local Lead for the NASA Space Apps Challenge Cleveland and Co-Lead in Pittsburgh in 2021. Since 2022, she has been the Local Lead for the NASA Space Apps Challenge in Mountain View, Silicon Valley, partnering with NASA Ames Research Center.

Until 2024, Martina remains the sole Local Lead directly hosting NASA Space Apps Challenges at NASA Research Centers while assisting other leads in establishing similar partnerships. Her achievements include historic contracts and maintaining successful cooperation with two NASA Research Centers.

Education

Martina is completing her Masters of Space Studies at the International Space University, where she received an ISU Tuition Scholarship. Her research thesis focused on In-Situ Resource Utilization, Additive Manufacturing, and the Production of Lunar and Martian Regoliths and Simulants, titled 'Setting up a Lunar Dust 3D Solar Printer in collaboration with ECAM Strasbourg'. She led a student group in maintaining and equipping the SHEE (Self-Deployable Habitat for Extreme Environments) at ISU, under expert mentorship.

Martina holds a Graduate Degree in Commercial Space Studies (CSS) from the Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech), led by Director and Professor Andrew Aldrin. She was the first Macedonian and Balkan woman to receive a scholarship from the Aldrin Family Foundation founded by the Apollo Moonwalked Buzz Aldrin.

Martina earned a Bachelor of Material Engineering and Nanotechnology from the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy (TMF) via UKIM, supported by a prestigious 4-year 'A' type scholarship awarded by the Ministry of Education and Science of Macedonia. During her studies, Martina attended Kent State University as a Global UGRAD First Generation Finalist and Full Scholarship Winner, making the Dean's List with a 3.94 GPA. She participated in the Global UGRAD program, sponsored by World Learning, the U.S. Department of State, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the American Embassy in North Macedonia.

At Kent State Martina with her team built a functional prototype on the class Applied Engineering Senior Seminar tested in ATA Group Inc. and supported by Kent State.

Outreach and Media

Martina's outreach extends internationally, recognized across traditional media, newspapers, TV, social media, articles, and websites. Her efforts prioritize women in STEAM and space exploration, advocating for representation and sustainability. As a STEM educator and content creator, Martina champions diversity and inclusivity in space exploration, particularly for first-generation immigrants, addressing stigma and prejudice through videos, masterclasses, talks, events, workshops, and social media under the handle @astro_smarta.