Alyssa Carson, a 13-year-old girl living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is studying to become the first person to attend all three of NASA’s world space camps. She plans to become the first person to visit Mars. “It’s a place no one has been. A place deserted right now. I want to take that first step,” she said. If all goes according to her 20-year plan, Alyssa will go on a mission to Mars in 2033.
Alyssa’s father says: “There’s no doubt in my mind that her dream and passion will drive her to that planet.” And NASA is taking Alyssa very seriously. NASA‘s Paul Foreman said of Alyssa: “She’s of the perfect age to one day become an astronaut, to eventually travel to Mars. She’s doing the right things, taking the right training and steps to become an astronaut.” Alyssa and her father have discussed the possibility of her not having the option of returning to Earth. Her father said: “If that’s the only option, she still wants to go.”
