BECOMING AN ASTRONAUT OF THE MARS GENERATION ALYSSA
READY FOR LIFTOFF
CARSON
Ready for Liftoff: Becoming an Astronaut of the Mars Generation is published under Erudition, a sectionalized division under Di Angelo Publications, Inc.
Erudition
Erudition is an imprint of Di Angelo Publications. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
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Ready for Liftoff: Becoming an Astronaut of the Mars Generation ISBN: 978-1-955690-39-3
Words: Alyssa Carson Cover Photograph: Horizn Studios Cover Design: Savina Deianova Interior Design: Kimberly James Editors: Ashley Crantas, Willy Rowberry, Theresa Silvester
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1. Juvenile Nonfiction --- Biography & Autobiography --- Women
2. Juvenile Nonfiction --- Science & Nature --- Astronomy
3. Juvenile Nonfiction --- Technology --- Aeronautics, Astronautics & Space Science
STARS IN MY EYES
It’s so funny how some of the biggest events in our lives are set in motion by the most random occurrences. How did I end up giving a TEDx Talk at thirteen, earning my rocket license before my driver’s license, and becoming an ambassador for major brands such as Nike? Where did it all start?
With a children’s cartoon show.
It happened so long ago that my dad’s and my memories are pretty fuzzy, but there are moments that remain so vivid. I grew up near Baton Rouge with my dad, Bert Carson. He is a videographer and runs the production side of a TV station. It’s always been me and him. At around three years old, I was a big fan of The Backyardigans. I saw this one episode where all the little characters went up into space and landed on a cool red planet; that episode was called “Mission to Mars.” I was immediately obsessed. I even got a poster of the episode and hung it up in my bedroom. After I watched it for the first time, I ran to my dad and started peppering him with all sorts of questions. He remembers trying to explain as best he could that humans had been to space and had been to the Moon, but we hadn’t yet been to Mars. He went on to say that it would be my generation that would reach Mars.
He figured it’d be one of the countless conversations that would eventually fade from memory. Little did he know, it was those precious
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FUN FACT:
Rocket engines produce thrust by burning fuel. Whereas jet engines require oxygen, a rocket engine carries everything it needs so that it can work in space, where there is no air.
moments that changed the trajectory of my life. Just a few days later, I proudly announced—and I remember my words so clearly—”Daddy, I want to be an astronaut and be one of the people that go to Mars.”
He replied, “Okay, sure, you can do anything you want to do.” For all he knew, next week I’d change it to veterinarian or ballet dancer or princess. But the following day, I still wanted to be an astronaut. Weeks and months went by, and my fascination only deepened. If we were in a bookstore, I could spot volumes about space from across the room. I had my dad take me to the local library so I could check out everything about Mars. I started learning all I could.
What seemed at first glance to be an empty rock continually revealed new information. Scientists had found ice, and later would find evidence of liquid water. As far as we know, all living things need water to survive, so the possibility of extraterrestrial life is still considered possible on Mars. The planet is lacking in other essentials, such as an atmosphere, but having at least one of the key necessities for life is a great sign. I became fixated on this planet, and all the curiosities and contradictions it held. This was the beginning of my journey to study astrobiology, although my path to that point wasn’t a straight shot.
My dad realized how serious I was when he walked by my room one day and noticed that I, at five years old, was studying a map of the surface of Mars. When he asked what I was doing, I started to explain the importance of knowing the planet’s terrain, because: “We will go to Mars.” I said it like I meant it. And I wasn’t just talking about myself or our family; I was talking about the whole of human civilization. I went on about how when we land on Mars, we will be lowered down with huge balloons, so I would need to know the surroundings in case we bounced off course. I had been inspired by how NASA was landing the Spirit and Opportunity rovers on Mars with airbag-like balloons to cushion the impact. Then, I went into all the (not entirely accurate) details about how we’d get ready
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and travel together, and how we’d all have roles in exploring the planet.
My dad later said, “I mean, I thought that was a little strange for a kid to be thinking about,” but he was also impressed. After putting all this together, my dad knew that his kindergarten-aged daughter was sincere about getting to Mars.
In the following year, the rest of my family began to notice my interest. So when my grandmother and a few other relatives saw a billboard for the Huntsville U.S. Space and Rocket Center, they knew they had to take me there. This trip opened up a whole new world for me. I was about seven at the time, and I don’t remember much of that visit all these years later, but according to my dad, it was as if I’d been to Disney World. When I got back, I told him all about the Saturn V rocket and the Apollo 16 Command Module, as well as countless other exhibits and displays. The Saturn V brought people to the Moon as part of the Apollo program, and it also launched Skylab, the first American space station. Apollo 16 was the second-to-last lunar mission and focused on scientific discovery and the use of the Lunar Roving Vehicle. Both crafts were marvelous to see in person. Significantly, I also brought home a pamphlet for Space Camp. I never could have imagined how this would impact my life.
Run by an Alabama state agency, Space Camp teaches kids and adults about space exploration, aviation, and robotics. Space Camp is both a program in itself, where students train like astronauts, and a parent organization of a wide variety of educational courses and events, such as the Aviation Challenge, Space Academy, and U.S. Cyber Camp.
My dad called to ask about the camp and found out that, at the time, I was too young to attend alone, but he could accompany me. So he came along and did all the activities and simulators with me. We did all the classics, like constructing and launching a model rocket and getting in the multi-axis trainer. The multi-axis trainer is the iconic chair made with several rings that puts you in a mild spin; you can rotate and somersault in place without getting queasy. But besides the fun rides and toy missiles, I
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was able to share my passion with others who were just as eager as I was. We’d spend all day doing experiments and all night researching the latest space news. I absorbed so much and found that I enjoyed learning about the history of space far more than I enjoyed any normal history class. I’d soon learn that most subjects were like that for me.
At the end of camp, the program directors gave out the Right Stuff Award. They determined which camper had the most dedication, had the best attitude, and was the most involved. Despite being a couple of years younger than most of the other kids there, I was given that award. My dad actually shed tears at the moment. That’s when he knew that I would go to Mars.
From that moment on, he never had any doubts. He respected my wish to go to Mars, and more than that, he saw it as his duty to empower me. His enthusiasm has been unwavering, and that has let my ambition prosper. Instead of allowing his concern to clip my wings, he took that concern and used it to help me soar higher. He encouraged me to become even better, even more prepared, by helping me find resources and realistically plan out all I needed in order to prevail. He knew he needed to be tough, but he made sure that didn’t get in the way of being supportive. Everything that I have accomplished since then couldn’t have happened without my dad’s solidarity. My dad has been my number-one supporter of my dream, which, since childhood, has remained the same.
Initially, I wanted to pursue astrophysics. The field explores the birth, life, and death of stars, planets, nebulae, and other objects. Whereas cosmology studies the nature of the universe as a whole, and astronomy measures the positions, movement, and luminosity of celestial bodies,
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