# Eileen Collins on what it takes to become Space Shuttle Commander

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/space-minds-7180761/eileen-collins-on-what-it-takes-to-become-space-shuttle-commander
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/space-minds-7180761/eileen-collins-on-what-it-takes-to-become-space-shuttle-commander.md
Podcast: [Space Minds](https://stenobird.com/podcast/space-minds-7180761)
Published: 2026-03-19T11:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacenews9/episodes/Eileen-Collins-on-what-it-takes-to-become-Space-Shuttle-Commander-e3gl6dq
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/100536988/podcast/play/117135226/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-2-18%2F420303267-44100-2-b620ec1963ac8.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/space-minds-7180761/episodes/eileen-collins-on-what-it-takes-to-become-space-shuttle-commander
Duration seconds: 2673

## Resource

In this episode of the Space Minds podcast, host David Ariosto speaks with Eileen Collins, retired NASA astronaut, Air Force colonel, and the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle and to command a Space Shuttle mission. She is the subject of a new documentary, SPACEWOMAN, directed by Hannah Berryman, which is based on Eileen’s book “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars” and hitting select theatres nationwide March 20. They discuss life lessons that lent themselves to a career in space and the military, the public and private challenges of leading a crew on the Space Shuttle, and the roles that humans versus artificial intelligence ought to play during space missions.👉 See more episodes in the Space Minds playlist About Space MindsSpace Minds is a new audio and video podcast from SpaceNews that focuses on the inspiring leaders, technologies and exciting opportunities in space.This weekly podcast features compelling interviews with scientists, founders and experts who love to talk about space, covers the news that has enthusiasts daydreaming, and engages with listeners. Join David Ariosto, Mike Gruss and journalists from the SpaceNews team for new episodes every Thursday.Space Minds Podcast https://spacenews.com/space-minds-podcast Sign up for a SpaceNews newsletter https://spacenews.com/newsletters/

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## Transcript

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