Reaching for the stars: Aletta Bartok named 2026 Astronaut Scholar

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (06/11/2026) – For Aletta Bartok, the path to becoming a 2026 Astronaut Scholar began long before college laboratories, supercomputers, or aerospace mission concepts. It started with family road trips along Minnesota's North Shore, bags full of rocks collected from beaches and trails, and a childhood fascination with understanding how the world, and worlds beyond our own, work.

Now a rising senior pursuing dual degrees in Chemistry and Earth Sciences at the University of Minnesota, Aletta has earned one of the nation's most prestigious undergraduate STEM honors. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, established by the Mercury 7 astronauts to support exceptional students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, selected Aletta as a member of its 2026-27 cohort. The scholarship provides up to $15,000 in support, along with access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development experiences with leaders across academia, industry, and the aerospace sector.

Aletta's exceptional academic journey has led her through experiences in computational research, student leadership, and the University of Minnesota Rocket Team. Read more about Aletta's story in the full news release.

Aletta is one of three College of Science and Engineering students to earn the award this year. Meet mechanical engineering major Henry Kopp and biomedical engineering major Ahmed Sharara in the CSE news announcement.