As a NASA space technologist, new space champion, and business builder, Ioana has for twenty-plus years navigated uncharted territories to answer that question—helping start-up to $30B+ companies reimagine commercial possibilities at the #EarthSpaceConfluence. Educated in physics and materials science—and recognized for expertise in nanotechnology, hypersonic reentry, and microgravity—Ioana has opened pathways to innovation and shepherded promising ideas from scientific discovery, to flight projects, and finally marketable application.Ioana has published more than 150 science articles, technical reports, and business opinion pieces across publications such as Journal of Physical Chemistry, Journal of Space Craft and Rockets, New Space Journal, Nanoscientific, Popular Science, and The Hill.