Esther trained as a cosmonaut in Star City from September 2008 to March 2009, as backup to Charles Simonyi. She is also an active investor in space startups, including Nanoracks, Space Adventures, Made in Space and WorldView (and also XCOR and Airship Ventures, RIP). From 2010 to 2012 she served on NASA's Advisory Council, working with Charlie Bolden.