Dr. Bee Königswasser is a highly capable neuroscientist working for the NIH. She secretly runs the popular academic Twitter account @WhatWouldMarieDo to support women in STEM. Having lost her parents at a young age, Bee heavily values security and stability, making her fiercely protective of her academic achievements and wary of emotional attachments. She is known for her distinctive style, including colorful hair and piercings.

Levi Ward is a talented engineer at NASA co-leading the BLINK project. Coming from a military, hunting-oriented family, the vegan, civilian Levi is considered a family disappointment. He is a sensitive and capable leader, though his reserved communication style often leads to others misinterpreting his intentions.

Rocío Cortoreal is Bee's 22-year-old research assistant with an affinity for the Gothic and deadpan sarcasm. She is highly intelligent but struggles with standardized tests like the GRE, prompting her to join the movement for fairer graduate admissions.

Kaylee Jackson is the project manager for BLINK and the only other woman on the team besides Bee and Rocío. She is friendly, highly competent, and passionate about dismantling biases in academia, particularly regarding standardized testing.

Guy Kowalsky is an astronaut and long-time collaborator on the BLINK project. He is affable, enthusiastic, and welcoming to Bee when she arrives in Houston. Having worked closely with the original creator of the helmet prototype, he is deeply invested in the project's success.

Reike is Bee's identical twin sister. Unlike Bee, who craves stability, Reike possesses a deep wanderlust and constantly travels the globe, taking odd jobs to fund her bohemian lifestyle.

Tim is Bee's ex-fiancé from her graduate school days. His chronic infidelity and manipulation left a lasting impact on Bee's ability to trust others in romantic relationships.

Annie is Bee's former best friend from graduate school. Once considered a surrogate sister to Bee, their friendship dissolved after a devastating betrayal, leaving lasting emotional scars for both women.

Dr. Boris Covington is the supervisor in charge of overseeing projects at the Discovery Institute for NASA. He oversees the complex political and financial dynamics between NASA and the NIH regarding the BLINK project.

Trevor Slate is Bee's demanding boss at the National Institutes of Health. He places heavy pressure on Bee, holding her solely accountable for any delays or issues with the NASA collaboration.

Lily is a warm, welcoming single mother who lives in Houston. She is the widow of Peter Sullivan, one of Levi's closest childhood friends, and relies on Levi for occasional help with her daughter.

Penny is Lily's precocious and charming six-year-old daughter. She has epilepsy, which is managed with medication, and she has a distinct fondness for spiders.

Félicette is a stray calico kitten roaming the halls of the Sullivan Discovery Building. Her sudden appearances often coincide with pivotal moments in Bee's time at NASA.

Schrödinger is Levi's elderly black pet cat. He enjoys lounging around Levi's home and serves as a point of shared interest for the two scientists.

Isaac is Levi's oldest brother. He works in the military, reflecting the family's traditional expectations, and participates in the dismissive treatment Levi receives from their parents.

Mark is an engineer on the BLINK project team. He initially refuses to implement Bee's suggested changes to the helmet prototype until Levi steps in to enforce her authority.