There was a time when man could only dream of walking on the moon. However, that all changed on the 16th of July, 1969, when Apollo 11 first took humans to the moon. Now, Elon Musk wants humans to take their first steps on Mars in the next decade. He is not alone in this ambition, though, with NASA also setting its sights on colonization. There are many reasons that we are looking at becoming an interplanetary species, one of which is the fact that the Earth is growing hotter. Yet, how many of us are actually prepared or qualified to make such a significant journey and change in lifestyle? Well, believe it or not, one woman, Alyssa Carson, has already been preparing for this mission her entire life.
Alyssa Carson’s Life-Long Fascination with Mars
Now 24 years of age, Alyssa Carson could be among the first humans to go to the red planet and is currently studying for a PhD in Astrobiology. At the moment, a mission to Mars is scheduled for 2033, and Carson wants to be the first to board the spacecraft. According to Carson, Mars is the most well-studied planet after Earth and is, therefore, the natural next step in the exploration of space. While various space agencies have sent rovers to explore the surface of Mars, she feels that “nothing can compete with the amount of information we’re able to gain once we send people to Mars.” Carson has been fascinated with the red planet ever since she was only three years of age. One day, she was watching an animated series called The Backyardians.
The series featured five animal friends that went on various adventures, and one of them included an imaginary trip to Mars. It was at that point that the young girl said to her father, “Daddy, I want to be an astronaut and go to Mars.” She began absorbing as much information as she could about the planet, even trying to memorize the maps of Mars at the age of six. When her father inquired why she was studying the maps, she replied, “When we get to Mars, I need to know where we are.” Only a year after that, she went to her very first NASA Space Camp, located in Huntsville, Alabama. Not long after, Carson became the only person to go to every NASA Space Camp in the world. Currently, there are space camps in Canada, the United States, and Turkey.
Read More: NASA Unveils Most Stunning Mars Panorama Yet
Carson’s Journey Continues
Carson then delivered her first talk to hundreds of children at a camp at the age of 11. At the age of 12, she became the youngest panellist at a Mars conference hosted by NASA in Washington. The following year, she appeared at TEDx events in Austria, Romania, and Greece. By the time she turned 15, she was already being trained to survive living in space. In fact, in 2016, she became the youngest person to ever be accepted into the Advanced PoSSUM Academy. Upon graduating from the academy, she became officially certified to work as a research astronaut trainee in space. At the moment, a one-way trip to Mars will take around six months to complete. However, Carson believes that with upcoming technological advancements, that time will be reduced to six weeks. To prepare for life on Mars, she has been taking part in survival training and simulations.
Inspiring a New Generation
Alyssa Carson’s journey is about not just fulfilling her own dream of exploring Mars, but also inspiring others to get involved in space exploration. By beginning her own journey at such an early age, she has become a symbol of determination and dedication, demonstrating that no dream is impossible. Her enthusiasm illustrates the need for a lifetime of commitment, curiosity, and resilience; all characteristics that future astronauts will require if mankind is to live on another planet. She also uses her position to educate young people about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
She frequently lectures at educational institutions, conferences, and online events, encouraging the next generation to consider possibilities beyond Earth and imagine what is still possible. Carson, as a pioneer and role model for the new generation, is laying the groundwork for a new era of space travel. If your child shows an interest in space exploration, there are several ways that they can get involved in various local programs. For example, there is the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Here, kids as young as 9 can take part in week-long programs. There are also similar camps that offer the same experience in Canada and Turkey. They can also learn online at the NASA Kids’ Club, an interactive and educational website.
Read More: NASA Unveils Most Stunning Mars Panorama Yet