(Naeem Ul Hassan)

Due to their growing involvement in aerospace entrepreneurship, women are spearheading innovation within the industry. Multi-award-winning aerospace entrepreneur Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba, who is renowned for trailblazing initiatives, is a prime illustration of this. Being the first Kenyan to be selected as an astronaut candidate for Titans Space Industries Inc. is one of Wanjiku’s distinguished accomplishments.

Wanjiku’s strong academic background has helped her achieve amazing entrepreneurial success. With distinction, she graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Space Operations. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida, where she is also working on certifications in Engineering Project Management, Engineering Leadership, and Engineering Innovation.

Her areas of expertise include Engineering Project Management, Flight Operations (Aviation and Space), Independent Research (Aviation and Space), Airworthiness and Certification Engineering, and Entrepreneurship.

Wanjiku is the chairperson and CEO of Vicillion, an aerospace firm that she co-founded in 2021. A forward-thinking, internationally recognized firm, Vicillion is committed to transforming the technology and aerospace industries. Among its innovative endeavors is the building of the Omega Spaceport, the world’s first equatorial commercial spaceport. Vicillion’s rapid growth is a testament to Wanjiku’s amazing entrepreneurial and leadership acumen.

Apart from being an entrepreneur, Wanjiku is involved with several organizations, such as the European Space Agency, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Society of Women Engineers, the Deep Space Initiative, Titans Space Industries Inc., and Project PoSSUM. She is also a member of the Space Generation Advisory Council, Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society), and Sigma Gamma Tau (Aerospace Engineering Honor Society). Previously, she worked with Switched Source, SPARC (K), Birds Eye Aerial Drones, Southwest Airlines, and Gulfstream Aerospace.

Wanjiku has received several awards, including Global Infrastructure Firm of the Year (2023), Best Collaborative Aerospace Infrastructure R&D Partner (2023), Most Collaborative Aerospace R&D Partner (2023)—USA, Graduate Student of the Year 2020-2021 Award, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Professional Development Award, and 2020-2021 Resident Advisor of the Year Award. Her recent recognition as one of 2024’s Top 40 Under 40 women leaders in Kenya is unquestionably a great accomplishment.

In multiple interviews, Wanjiku has expressed her commitment to contribute significantly to research and development in transformative, innovative products and concepts within the aerospace, mechanical, and civil industries to enhance human ingenuity in a positive way and solve critical global challenges, which is truly impressive.

It wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that Wanjiku Chebet Kanjumba has emerged as one of the most inspirational female aerospace entrepreneurs as a result of her trailblazing initiatives, such as building the Omega Spaceport, the first equatorial commercial spaceport in history.