Alaine Lee

I am an undergraduate student at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa majoring in Physics with an interdisiciplinary concentration in Astrophysics and a minor in Human Spaceflight. I am compelled by the challenges of NASA’s mission science environment and enjoy advancing science cases while balancing engineering and cost constraints. I have contributed to preparatory science and mission development for the LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) and SPICE (Space Interferometer for Cosmic Evolution) missions. My work in human spaceflight has focused on understanding how people and technology can operate together effectively during future exploration missions.

I am drawn to expeditionary science and leadership in extreme and isolated environments. I have detailed over 19,000 NM at sea, most recently sailing from the Chilean Antarctic Territory to Mexico to study human behavior in isolation. I lead interdisciplinary lunar analog research campaigns that investigate future Artemis-era surface operations and human performance. My experiences as an analog astronaut, scientific diver, offshore sailor, and student pilot have reinforced my fascination with exploration and the operational challenges of working in isolated environments. I am particularly passionate about aviation and flight test, and I hope to build a career at the intersection of mission science, human spaceflight, and aerospace operations.