Sheila Xu

Sheila Xu is the Deputy Director of Development for AstroAccess, a non-profit focused on advancing disability inclusion in the space sector. An oral and signing Deaf woman, Sheila aspires to become a deaf astronaut, driven by her belief that human space exploration should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. Her career encompasses scientific research, policy, and business, strongly emphasising accessibility in STEM. Sheila's work centres on multimodal communication for human space exploration missions, aiming to develop alternative communication methods to traditional radio systems. She is committed to ensuring that all individuals can participate in space missions.

Sheila's journey towards becoming an astronaut includes commercial analogue astronaut training and participation in zero-gravity parabolic flights, where she conducts experiments with her AstroAccess team. In 2021, she made history as the first deaf Asian female pilot after completing her training through a partnership between Able Flight and Purdue University. Her call sign, “Cool,” was earned after she successfully managed an emergency plane landing. In November 2022, Sheila became one of the first deaf individuals to join Arizona's commercial analogue astronaut training programme. This experience was followed by her involvement in a parabolic zero-gravity flight in December 2022, part of AstroAccess’ initiative to showcase the potential of deaf astronauts.

As a keynote speaker, Sheila advocates for including and recognising the leadership capabilities of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and those with disabilities. She addresses topics related to AstroAccess and the broader implications of human space exploration, emphasising that space should be accessible to all. Sheila argues that prioritising accessibility in the space sector can lead to significant technological and societal advancements. She encourages leaders across various industries to consider how lessons from space can foster a culture of innovation and inclusion, ensuring that future developments benefit everyone. Sheila has shared her insights with notable platforms and institutions, including NPR, MIT, Wharton, Comcast, and the Library of Congress. In May 2024, she graduated with concurrent Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees from Harvard University and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Humanities and Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).