The interest in colonization outside of our planet has never been higher - especially with movies like Star Trek and Star Wars being at the peak of popularity. Yet, 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. It is her dream to be the first person on Mars and she's aiming for the 2033 first human mission to Mars.
She 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. She is also the youngest person to be accepted and graduate from the Advanced Possum Academy, making her officially certified to go to space and an astronaut trainee. In addition to her astronaut training, she is also studying all of her school subjects in four languages - English, Chinese, French, and Spanish. One of the biggest challenges she says she faces is time and getting everything done at such a young age, while also still attending high school. While Alyssa is well aware that she cannot get married and start a family, she is determined to put it aside in order to achieve her dream.
This is Alyssa Carson, a 17-year-old girl from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Despite her young age, she is being trained by NASA to become an astronaut.
Her goal is to be part of the first human mission to Mars in 2033.
The mission is part of the effort to establish a human colony on Mars, that could one day save our species.
Alyssa wanted to go to Mars when she was three, after seeing the TV show, 'The Backyardigans'.
Ever since Carson has been working hard to achieve her goals.
Her father, Bert Carson, enrolled her in the United States Space Camp in 2008.
She 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
She is also the youngest person to be accepted and graduate from the Advanced Possum Academy.
This certifies her to go to space as an astronaut trainee.
Aside from her demanding astronaut training, Alyssa also studies all her school subjects in four languages.
Even though she is not able to apply to be an astronaut until the age of 18, Carson is the youngest applicant to International Space University.
Alyssa says: Always follow your dream and don't let anyone take it from you.
Watch this video and see Alyssa's journey and goals:
