Astrolith, LLC
Astrolith, LLC is a pioneering education technology company utilizing Web3 and digital art (NFTs) to advance the conversation around space resource utilization (SRU) and the ethical use of technology while acting as a champion for diversity within the space and tech sectors.
Our Mission and Vision
Our mission is to powerfully connect humanity’s future in space with solutions for Earth’s most urgent problems, ranging from racial inequity to natural resource depletion. We showcase how off-world innovation can directly benefit life here. Our vision is to inspire a new generation of galactic pioneers and ambassadors from a planet worth saving.
Driving Diversity in STEAM
We are dedicated to increasing gender and racial diversity across STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and Web3, sectors where women of color are significantly underrepresented. Through our art, we specifically celebrate and elevate the contributions of black women in the space industry.
Our Foundation
Astrolith was founded by Lisa Haley and Taryn Haley Van Deusen, a mother-daughter team with specialized backgrounds in the field of space resource utilization. As the first NFT company to feature three generations of women on its team—including Taryn’s daughter as the design muse—Astrolith is built on a foundation of generational expertise and shared commitment to a better future.
Our Team
Taryn Van Deusen
CEO, Mission Commander
Taryn is a practicing government contracts attorney working on her PhD in Space Resources with a focus on space law and policy from the Colorado School of Mines. Taryn is the visionary behind Astrolith and its Celestial Fire Bosses Collection.
Taryn’s goal, through the collection, is to support and promote black women in the space and Web3 industries while shining a light on the burgeoning field of space resource utilization.
The Celestial Fire Bosses Collection is a tribute to, inspired by, and dedicated to her daughter, Rayne.
Elle Younker
COO/CTO, Flight Engineer & C2ISR
Elle is a US Marine Corps Veteran, Storyteller, and Hackivist with over eighteen years experience in the space and military intelligence industry with a focus on supply chain risk management, threat intelligence research of advance technologies, and the use of ethical social engineering to build sustainable communities.
She is known for designing and implementing innovative solutions to complex problems and effectively communicating complex technical information to diverse audiences, holds a bachelor’s degree in 19th and 20th Century American History, a master’s degree in Executive Leadership, and is working on her PhD in Computational Social Sciences, while researching Operator Syndrome and the impact of technology, remote warfare, and cognitive warfare on Veterans.
Lisa Haley
Co-Founder, Science Officer
Lisa is a published author in the field of space resources and a seasoned educator with 45 years of experience. She has a bachelor’s degree in Community Health and a master’s degree in Multicultural Education with an emphasis on diverse learning styles. She is also certified through the Colorado School of Mines’ Mechanical Engineering Department’s Space Resources graduate program.
Lisa serves as Space Resource and Education Consultant, advising on planetary geology, space resource utilization, space operations/systems, and aerospace industry advocacy.
Her passions are science and space education, especially advocating for girls and women in the STEAM fields.
Marco Antonio Soria
NFT Artist, Mission Payload Specialist
Marco is a digital artist and illustrator based out of Mexico City. His artwork’s post-modern pop realism flavor is derived from his use of bold, hyper-digital colors, idiosyncratic shading, and abstract concepts. His unique images have been featured on websites like Art Connect and in magazines like Wow Art Catalogue.
Marco is the artist behind Astrolith’s First NFT Collection, “Celestial Fire Bosses,” and its marketing content. He thoughtfully brought Taryn and Lisa’s concept to life through his creativity, expertise, and belief in the vision of the company.