Laura Stiles

Laura Stiles is an aerospace engineer and senior manager at Blue Origin, a private human spaceflight company near Seattle, WA.1 She currently holds the position of CrewMember 7 for the New Shepard program, responsible for astronaut training and crewed launch operations.12

Stiles has an extensive educational background in aerospace engineering, including:

• BS in Engineering Physics with a concentration in Aerospace Systems from the University of Kansas (2008)
• MS and PhD in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder (2011 and 2013, respectively)1

At Blue Origin, Stiles has worked in various roles:

• Mechanical systems design
• Integrated vehicle test
• Launch operations
• Technical and programmatic management of multiple vehicle subsystems on the Crew Capsule
• Senior management team for New Shepard Launch Operations (since 2018)1

As CrewMember 7, Stiles represents Blue Origin to customer astronauts and ensures operational excellence in mission execution. She has served as a Flight Controller for more than a dozen launches and leads several Technical Evaluation Committees for the Blue Origin Lunar Mission Operations team.1

Outside of work, Stiles is involved in mentoring and coaching university-level and early-career engineers, with a focus on supporting women in the field. She is also an avid adventurer, participating in outdoor activities, triathlons, and skydiving. Notably, Stiles is a skydiving instructor, has competed at the national level, and holds two World Records in large-formation skydiving.1