Lucas Cristaldi Shares the Human Side of Space

Lucas Cristaldi (’26) has always had his eyes on the skies. As a child in Brazil, he spent hours in the second-floor lounge of the airport, mesmerized by planes taking off and landing. “My parents would ask what I wanted to do, and I’d say, ‘Let’s go to the airport,’” he recalls with a laugh. His fascination with space took shape early, fueled by "Star Trek," "Star Wars" and documentaries about black holes. Now, as a NASA Solar System Ambassador, he’s on a mission to educate and inspire. “I was that space nerd. I wanted to know everything about astronomy, space exploration, black holes — all that fun stuff.”

From the Air Force to Embry-Riddle

Now a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Cristaldi is taking his passion to new heights. He is pursuing a degree in Aeronautics with a minor in Space Operations and management, all while serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. His path to Embry-Riddle began in an unexpected place: a one-person campus office at Moody Air Force Base.

“After finishing tech school and earning my Community College of the Air Force degree, I started looking into what classes I could transfer to Embry-Riddle,” he explains. Initially, he pursued a management degree but later transitioned to a field that aligned more closely with his Air Force career goals.

A Journey From Brazil to the U.S. Air Force

Born and raised in Brazil, Cristaldi immigrated to the United States in 2018. Before joining the Air Force, he worked as a software developer in London and New York City. “I still hope to use those skills in some capacity,” he says, acknowledging his deep interest in both technology and aviation. While his childhood dream was to become a pilot, his priorities shifted with experience. “I always knew I wanted to stay close to aviation and, especially, space exploration.”

That commitment led him to the NASA Solar System Ambassadors program, a nationwide initiative that trains volunteers to engage the public with NASA missions. Cristaldi first learned about the program while deployed to Qatar in 2021.

“My supervisor at the time was also a space nerd,” he recalls. “He was organizing an event and introduced me to the program.” Inspired, Cristaldi applied in 2022 and completed his training the following year.

Bringing the Cosmos to the Public

As a NASA Solar System Ambassador, Cristaldi conducts outreach to audiences ranging from young children to adults eager to learn about space exploration.

“I love sharing the human side of space,” he says. “I tell students that no matter what field they choose, they can take inspiration from space exploration. Teamwork, accountability, and striving for excellence — those things apply to any career.”

Cristaldi has led events both in the U.S. and Brazil, where he is especially proud of giving back to his home country. On a recent visit, he worked with schools, churches, and local media to bring NASA’s message to Brazilian audiences.

“I wanted to find a way to give back to the community that shaped me,” he says. One of his most memorable events involved honoring students at his former high school who won Brazil’s National Rocketry Competition. “I reached out to NASA to see if I could recognize them, and they sent me challenge coins to present to the students. That was really special.”

His presentations often focus on current NASA missions, particularly the Artemis program and the James Webb Space Telescope.

“The moon mission is always the biggest draw,” he says. “And kids love talking about the James Webb Telescope — probably because of the stunning images they’ve seen online. It’s a great way to introduce them to the idea that what we see through these telescopes actually happened millions of years ago. It’s like looking back in time.”

Breaking Barriers and Inspiring the Next Generation

Cristaldi is also passionate about encouraging more young women to pursue careers in space.

“Unfortunately, the field is still very male-dominated,” he notes. “But I try to highlight the incredible women involved in NASA’s missions, especially those in the Artemis program. I once spoke to a young woman who loved graphic design but didn’t think she could apply it to space. I told her, ‘Of course you can! We need people to work on user experience, astronaut training materials, and mission visuals. Space needs artists too.’”

His relatable approach makes an impact. When presenting, he often chooses casual clothing over his military uniform — especially in Brazil.

“I feel like if they see me in jeans and a hoodie, they can relate more,” he explains. “It helps them see that space is for everyone.”

A Future in the Stars

As he looks ahead, Cristaldi remains open to new opportunities, including a potential transfer to the U.S. Space Force.

“Rules are always changing,” he says. “If you stay prepared, you never know what doors will open.”

No matter where his career takes him, one thing is certain: he will continue sharing his love of space.

“For me, it’s about lighting that spark in someone’s mind. I remember a 13-year-old at one of my events who asked me, ‘What’s the biggest star in the observable universe, and do you know its temperature?’ I had to admit I didn’t know, and he proudly answered, ‘I do!’ That moment was perfect — it showed me how much curiosity and passion these kids already have for space, and I just want to encourage that,” he says.

“Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation to inspire someone to dream big.”