GANDHINAGAR: In it’s centennial episode of the Design Better Podcast, the spotlight shone on Hillary Coe. Celebrating its 100th episode, the podcast featured a live session with Coe, the former SpaceX design leader who is now at the helm of design at VAST, a pioneering company in the realm of commercial space stations.
Coe’s multifaceted persona, which encompasses roles as a certified commercial pilot, astronaut candidate, and drag-racing record holder, initially cast doubts on her very existence. Yet, she stands as a testament to the boundless potential of human achievement. As the Chief Design & Marketing Officer for Vast, Coe is steering the creation of the world’s inaugural commercial space station, marking a significant shift from government-led space exploration to a commercially driven interstellar venture.
Hillary Coe
Her tenure at SpaceX, as the inaugural Director of Design, was marked by her influential role in shaping the narrative of human spaceflight for the modern era. Coe’s visionary approach to the human experience in space continues at Vast, where she is instrumental in the development of a permanent human presence beyond Earth.
Coe’s expertise is not confined to the aerospace sector. Her design leadership has also been pivotal in projects like Google’s mobile AR and the Apple Watch fitness features, as well as the foundational product development for Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet service.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Coe is an ardent advocate for the next generation of STEM enthusiasts, working closely with the Department Of Education on the National STEM Challenge and advising XPRIZE to foster groundbreaking innovations for the advancement of humanity.
The Design Better Podcast’s 100th episode, held at the NYCxDesign Festival in collaboration with Automattic and Wert&Co, celebrated Coe’s extraordinary contributions to design and technology, underscoring her role in shaping a future where design meets the cosmos.