Ivanka Trump is a businesswoman and an adviser to the president, but her childhood dream was actually to become an astronaut.
The 36-year-old first daughter revealed her secret ambition while visiting NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with Republican Senator Ted Cruz on Thursday.
Ivanka toured Mission Control and spoke with the International Space Station crew during her trip to the facility, where human spaceflight training, research, and flight control are conducted.
Tour: Ivanka Trump visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, on Thursday
First daughter perks: Astronaut Nicole Mann gave Ivanka a guided tour of the space center
The color of a space suit! The senior adviser donned a white double-breasted blazer and matching cropped pants
The senior adviser and senator were also joined by NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, U.S. Representative Brian Babin, and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, all three of whom are Republicans.
Looking chic in a white double-breasted blazer and matching cropped pants, Ivanka struck a pose outside the doors of Mission Control.
Inside, she met Chief Holly Ridings, who made history this week when she became the first woman in NASA’s 60-year history to become the Johnson Space Center’s chief flight director.
Ivanka also shook hands with flight director Ron Spencer, telling him: ‘This is incredible. Very cool. You’ve got the coolest job.’
During a call from Mission Control, she told the International Space Station crew that she had always wanted to be an astronaut.
Loving it: During the tour, Ivanka revealed it has always been her dream to become an astronaut and travel to space
Having fun: Ivanka had a big smile on her face when she high-fived a space suit
Field trip: Ivanka was joined by Republican Senator Ted Cruz during the tour
Taking a peek: The first daughter got to check out the facility that holds a full-size copy of the International Space Station
‘You inspire us all. You actually have my dream job,’ she admitted.
‘I always wanted to be an astronaut and I always wanted to go to space. You are fulfilling my dream up there.’
As far as a potential career change, Ivanka joked: ‘Never say never, right?’
Astronaut Nicole Mann provided Ivanka with a guided tour of the space center, including the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility that holds a full-size copy of the International Space Station.
Photos of the first daughter show her listening intently as she was walked through the building, and at one point she crouched down to look inside the replica of the space station.
No heels today! Ivanka paired her sleek white suit with a pair of black Mary Jane flats
Honor: Ivanka met Chief Holly Ridings, who made history this week when she became the first woman in NASA’s 60-year history to become the Johnson Space Center’s chief flight director
Say cheese! Ivanka Trump a pose outside the doors of the Mission Control Center
Unforgettable moment: Ivanka called the International Space Station crew while inside the Mission Control Center
She had a big smile on her face when she high-fived a space suit during the in-depth tour of the space center.
Ivanka also met with local high school students who compete nationwide in robotics competitions with the help of NASA engineers.
The mother-of-three has been an advocate for increasing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs for children, and she promoted her visit on her social media pages on Thursday.
‘Looking forward to visiting the @NASA Johnson @SpaceCenterHou with Administrator @JimBridenstine! NASA’s work in #STEM education, space exploration & technological innovation is truly out of this world,’ she tweeted ahead of her visit.
It has been a busy week for Ivanka, who spent Tuesday and Wednesday celebrating Yom Kippur with her family.
Meet and greet: Ivanka also met with local high school students who compete nationwide in robotics competitions with the help of NASA engineers
Yikes: The first daughter tried her best while playing a game with the students
Cause: The mother-of-three has been an advocate for increasing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs for children
First daughter duties: Ivanka took time to say hello to the students during the meet and greet
Interaction: She happily chatted with the students and asked questions
Ivanka was seen leaving her Washington, D.C. home and heading to a local synagogue on Wednesday morning, alongside her daughter Arabella, seven, and son Theodore, two, as well as a number of Secret Service agents.
Ivanka and her children, both of whom were riding on scooters, were on their way to meet her 37-year-old husband Jared Kushner, who made his way to the synagogue with their four-year-old son Joseph about an hour before the rest of the family.
She paid mind to her religion’s strict dress codes and donned a demure navy dress that covered her arms and knees.
Ivanka paired the elegant frock with a matching pillbox hat, a style that Jackie Kennedy Onassis made famous during her time as first lady.
Keeping with the Jewish tradition, her son Joseph had a yarmulke on his head in honor of the holy day, which started at sunset on Tuesday and ended on Wednesday at sundown.
Jared, however, did not appear to be wearing one; unlike many Orthodox Jews, Jared does not keep his head covered with a hat or yarmulke while going about his day-to-day life.
Loving it: Ivanka took to Instagram Stories after the visit to share some photos of herself
Fun time: Ivanka crossed her legs and rested her elbow on a space suit during this cheeky snapshot
Holy day: Ivanka looked chic while walking to a local synagogue with her eldest child Arabella and youngest child Theodore on Wednesday in celebration of Yom Kippur
Separate ways: Ivanka’s husband Jared Kushner, 37, was seen making his way to the synagogue with their four-year-old son Joseph about an hour before the rest of the family
Known as a day of atonement, Yom Kippur is the holiest holiday in the Jewish calendar and followers typically spend the majority of the 25-hour holy day at the synagogue.
Jared and Ivanka likely spent the day fasting, as those observing Yom Kippur cannot eat or drink until after sundown at the end of the 25 hours.
During the holy day, people must also abstain from sexual relations, bathing, wearing perfume, and wearing leather shoes.
While Jared and his sons wore fabric sneakers on Wednesday, Ivanka and her daughter both had on fabric flats.
It is unclear why Jared and Joseph left ahead of their family, but they appeared to be enjoying some one-on-one time together.
Jared was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family, and Ivanka converted to Judaism before marrying her husband in 2009. The two are raising their children to be Orthodox Jews as well.