Emma Levenson joined the Barrios Technology 2025 Summer Intern program with a clear sense of purpose and a deep passion for space exploration. From her first day, she brought curiosity, enthusiasm, and a genuine drive to contribute. Her journey with Barrios has been more than just a first internship – it’s been a meaningful step toward a future in aerospace, where her values and ambitions have found the right place to grow.

Emma discovered Barrios at the 2024 AIAA SciTech conference in Orlando. Drawn by our shared values – particularly around women empowerment in STEM – she saw Barrios as the ideal place to launch her career. “Barrios seemed like a good fit because their values aligned with my personal goals,” she shares. “From submitting my application to walking the halls of Johnson Space Center, I feel lucky to have landed this internship as my first.”

This summer, Emma is contributing to the Orion Program on our Human Space Flight Technical Integration Contract (HSFTIC), supporting NASA’s Artemis II mission through mission and data integration. Her projects have included building an automated tracking tool for Orion Mission Evaluation Room (MER) certifications and enhancing communication within the MER team. Her contributions are helping pave the way for NASA’s continued progress in deep space exploration.

When asked about the highlights of her experience, Emma lights up: “Touring the incredible labs and facilities around JSC has been unforgettable, and seeing how each of them contributes to the advancement of human space flight is truly inspiring. This experience has taught me to always be curious and adaptable. The passion and openness of those around me have shown me how far asking questions can take you.”

Her sources of inspiration? “My family and the people here at Barrios,” she says. “Their support and enthusiasm have pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and embrace every learning opportunity.”

As her internship draws to a close, Emma reflects on the impact of her experience. “Barrios, as a company and a community, is helping me fulfill my passion for space flight and exploration early in my career, it truly feels like a dream come true.”

Emma’s journey this summer is a great example of how meaningful an internship experience can be when values and purpose align.