# @princetonspia on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/B7_aZRdhMJD
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/20742510-princetonspia-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/ef44486b51.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-01-31T16:31:18.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Princeton SPIA (@princetonspia) — https://gondola.cc/princetonspia

## Caption

#WooWho: “Last year I led Princeton Rocketry Club’s Microgravity Team. This year my brother Jacob and I are co-leading the RASC-AL Team, which aims to develop new concepts that leverage innovations to improve our ability to operate in space and on distant planetary bodies. My interest in rocketry has evolved over the years because it binds Jake, me, and our dad together. When Jake and I were young, we used to modify Nerf guns together; that hobby got us interested in #engineering. Although I’ve always had an interest in space, I never thought about being an astrophysicist or an astronaut. I saw space as an area where I could have a positive social impact, which is something my parents have always instilled in me. At the wilson_school, being able to write about space academically has enabled me to really understand what I want to do in this field. Working with my advisor Amb. Daniel C. Kurtzer, my senior thesis focuses on unitednations space policy. There are many important questions regarding the safe and peaceful utilization and exploration of space … how can we make use of emerging space technologies to reinforce the capacities of peacekeeping missions on Earth? Today, the costs of obtaining high-resolution, remotely sensed imagery are decreasing; this process has already started to impact the UN's capacity to verify troop deployment, to identify human rights violations, and to engage in counterinsurgency operations. Other contemporary technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, are simultaneously democratizing Earth’s imagery. If employed safely, these technologies have lifesaving implications. After graduation, I will be working in investment banking, and I hope to develop a set of tangible skills in financial analysis. In commercial space exploration, many businesses fail because, while they have a novel idea and get venture capital funding, they don’t have a real business model or sustainable cash flow. Maybe one day I will be able to combine my interests in space and business to potentially create something sustainable.” - Alex Essig ’20 (esiig) (Left: Jacob Essig ’22; Right: Alex) #WooWho is a series featuring our community. DM us if interested!

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 59
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- **Comments:** 3

## Tags

engineering, woowho

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