Trending Now - NASA Is Preparing This Girl To Become The First Human On Mars And She’s Only 17
People have been fascinated with “the final frontier” since the dawn of the day when space travel became possible, if not before. With movies like Star Trek and Star Wars being at the peak of popularity and the global reaction to Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket launch, the interest in colonization outside of our planet has never been higher. But while some of us only dream of space travel, one girl is making it her reality.
Alyssa Carson is a 17-year-old girl from Baton Rouge, Louisiana whom NASA is training to become an astronaut. Her dream is to be the first person on Mars and she’s aiming for the 2033 first human mission to Mars. And the girl certainly has everything she needs to get there. Being the first person to complete the NASA Passport Program by going to all 14 NASA Visitor Centers, Alyssa is also the youngest person to be accepted and graduate the Advanced Possum Academy, officially making her certified to go to space and an astronaut trainee. On top of astronaut training, she is also studying all of her school subjects in four languages (English, Chinese, French, and Spanish). “The biggest [challenge] is time and getting everything done at such a young age while also still attending high school. Continuing to train at a young age will also be further difficulties for me but I have done great with it so far.” Alyssa told Bored Panda.
Besides all studying and training, Carson is also a public speaker, aiming to draw interest to space exploration, as well as encourage everyone to seek their dreams. “Always follow your dream and don’t let anyone take it from you,” she says. When asked about personal inspirations, Carson said that “All astronauts, especially women astronauts as they have made the road for me to follow” inspire her.
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Meet Alyssa Carson, a 17-year-old girl from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Despite her young age, NASA is training her to become an astronaut
She aims to be part of the first human mission to Mars on 2033
The mission is part of the effort to establish a human colony on Mars, that could one day save our species
Alyssa first thought of going to Mars when she was 3, after seeing the TV show “The Backyardigans”
Ever since then Carson has been working hard to achieve her goals
In 2008, Bert Carson, her father, enrolled her in the United States Space Camp
She quickly became the first person to visit all three NASA Space Camps
Five years later, Alyssa was the first person to complete the NASA Passport Program by going to all 14 NASA Visitor Centers
Carson is also the youngest person to be accepted and graduate the Advanced Possum Academy
Which officially makes her certified to go to space and an astronaut trainee
With incredibly demanding astronaut training, Alyssa also studies all her school subjects in 4 languages
While not being able to apply to be an astronaut until she turns 18, Carson is the youngest applicant to International Space University
“The biggest [challenge] is time and getting everything done at such a young age” Alyssa told Bored Panda
Alyssa started “Blueberry Foundation”, named after her call sign Blueberry
That’s aiming to encourage kids to seek their dreams and give opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have
As well as draw interest to space travel and her mission
“Always follow your dream and don’t let anyone take it from you,” Alyssa says
While her goals might push the idea of dating and dreams of a family to further (and unknown) future
Carson understands the sacrifice and is determined to reach her goal
