5 Reasons Why You Should Know Future Mars-Walker Alyssa Carson

Alyssa Carson with Bill Nye the Science Guy!

There are a lot of ways one could feel inspired in astronomy, whether it’s from looking at a marvelous galaxy located millions or even billions of light years away, or landing a rover on another planet. One person really caught my attention and her name is Alyssa Carson. She is quite an amazing person and just an overall humble and intelligent person. I’m going to list 5 reasons why I think you should know the future Mars-walker Alyssa Carson.

1. She’s the First Person to Complete All NASA Space Camps

Alyssa Carson at Space Camp

Alyssa said she has always wanted to be an astronaut since she was 3, which is amazing someone wanted to dream big at such an early age. She’s completed all NASA Space Camp programs including Space Camp Turkey and Space Camp Canada. You have to keep in mind that Alyssa is only 13 years old! She’s already done so much at an early age. She’s been to Space Camp in Huntsville Alabama 11 times, Space Academy 3 times, and Robotics Academy 1 time. Her dad even did a child-parent camp and won the “Right Stuff” award.

2. Alyssa Not Only Knows French, Spanish,  Chinese, and some Turkish but Studies Schools Subjects in those Languages!

The amazing thing Alyssa realized is that when you become an astronaut you not only have to have a solid understanding of physics and astronomy but you also have learn a few other languages. Why you ask? Well one reason is when you have a mission to the International Space Station a lot of the time you’ll be bunking with fellow astronauts that are from all over the world. It also shows that you are considering them and making an effort to communicate to them and not expecting them to only learn your language. Alyssa knows how to speak 3 languages like French, Spanish, and Chinese! She even understands how to speak some Turkish. That’s mind boggling to know that a 13 year old has that knowledge and ability already. Not only that but she’s also studying her school subjects in these languages. Just amazing!

3. Alyssa is the First Person to Complete NASA’s Passport Program

There are about 14 NASA visitor centers that you have to visit and get your passport stamped. Alyssa visited every single one and completed it in October 2013. At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida they held a special ceremony for her when they gave her the final stamp. Even for NASA enthusiasts it’s really tough to visit and complete the Passport program. That just shows you how determined she is as well as having space and astronomy running through her veins.

4. Alyssa Not Only Wants to Become an Astronaut but Gives Motivational Speeches to Children

You can imagine as a growing kid who aspires to be an astronaut your life gets pretty busy with training and staying on top of your education. Alyssa takes it a step further and  also gives motivational speeches to children to let them know they can be anything they want. Not only just that but in an interview, that I’m paraphrasing, she said “Pick a subject you are really interested in school and stick with it and do really well. Then find a career that aligns with your interest and then go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Just focus on what you love and your goals and you’ll be able to do it.” It’s quite inspiring to hear a 13 year old girl say that. Even some adults may not even give that advice to the youths. It takes a certain level of maturity and character to say such a thing and be active about it.

5. Instead of Taking a Summer off Alyssa Will be Going to More Space Camps, TED Talks, and Much More

If giving motivational speeches, training at Space Camps, and attending events wasn’t enough Alyssa has packed her summer for 2014. It’s actually quite expensive as well and getting support from anyone who believes in her goes a long way. Here’s what Alyssa has planned for this amazing summer:

• June 4  Fly out to Greece and participate in TED talks
• June 8 Space Camp Turkey exhibit dedication and speaking with the campers
• June 11 Leave Turkey and head to International Space University for tours and talks
• June 18 Leave ISS and head to St Georges to meet a French astronaut
• June 20 Head to UK for tours and talks at Oxford and Cambridge University
• June 26 Head to Netherlands to meet with the Mars One team
• June 29-July 4 Euro Space Camp with the European Space Agency
• July 6 Fly home
• July 8 Speaking engagement in Alexandria, LA
• July 13-18 National Flight Academy in Pensacola, FL
• July 20-25 Aviation Challenge Mach II Huntsville, AL (Space Camp)
• July 27-August 1 VA Flight Academy Wallops Island, VA

Phew! It’s quite a schedule for a 13 year old! So you can imagine the amount of work involved for her. I honestly cannot say enough how inspiring someone so young is so full of passion and so determined to become an astronaut. It fuels my own passion and makes me want to give it my all to give any support Alyssa needs to make her dream come true.

Here’s a video of her:

Also check out her Indiegogo campaign and donate anything you can if you want to support Alyssa.