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Do I have "the right stuff" to be an astronaut or pilot? Well, I'm about to find out. Space Academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama is an increased intensity program of astronaut and mission training and academics.
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On the first day, I am introduced to my team members—the Langley Team. All teams are named after astronauts and pilots. It was great to meet so many different people from across the United States.
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The next day, I get into the astronaut trainer for the Mulit-Axis Challenge. This was used early on in the training program for the astronauts. They referred to it as the "tumble spin". I can see why they called it the tumble spin —after a minute or two, I could barely stand up!
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Here I am in the Man Maneuvering Unit (MMU) trainer, which simulates what a space walk is like for the astronauts. This contraption is like a big giant jetpack that the astronauts place on their backs to enable them to “walk” around outside the space-ship. It produces bursts of air, which helps them to maneuver while they are outside of the shuttle.
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This challenge is called the Mars Climbing Wall. The wall is more than 20 feet high, and I climbed the level-12 wall, which is the toughest of all climbs. It definitely helps to be in good shape!
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Before I could participate in the Centrifuge Challenge, Sandra Kerby, Aero-Space Programs Manager of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, tests me by asking me to touch my ear to my knee while spinning in the chair—what a dizzy task! Fortunately, I passed with flying colors.
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I'm ready for Mach II, the Centrifuge Aviation Challenge. 3.2 Gs are applied, since anything greater than 3.2 Gs requires a flight surgeon to be present. Assisting me is Jeff VanZandt, a supervisor at the Space and Rocket Center. The Aviation Challenge felt like weight pushing down on me while spinning. I did not get sick or dizzy though.
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My dad, Jeff, and I are looking at the flight control panel of the Mach II simulator. This panel displays aircraft altitude, flight speed, radar, armament data and other information necessary to fly a jet fighter. Jeff is very knowledgeable regarding the history of the simulator and how it is used in competition drills.
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It is time for my favorite challenge—Top Gun! My call sign was Icee because I like the snow. Here, I’m preparing to fly against my teammates in an aerial combat mission on an F-18 fighter simulator. I never had the opportunity to fly a simulator before and it was very realistic. Also, a night screen was available which simulated flying in darkness. I made it to the semi-finals but then unfortunately I was hit with a missile. Needless to say, I crashed and burned!
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This is a replica of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. I'm getting ready for a simulated flight in our final mission challenge.
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In this team mission, everyone is hard at work fixing the outside of the orbiter Atlantis. This is similar to the work that astronauts perform while in space.
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The Helo Dunker is another great aviation challenge. This challenge simulates a crash of a helicopter in water. I was strapped into the Dunker and plunged into the lake. The goal is to un-harness yourself and get out as soon as possible. This challenge is especially great on hot days!
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One of the best things about my week: I met astronaut Story Musgrave, and also joined him for lunch. He flew six different missions to the moon and was also instrumental in servicing the Hubble Space Telescope.
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My mom, dad and I are standing in front of the F-14 Tomcat plane, which actually appeared in the movies Top Gun, True Lies, and The Final Count Down. Several F-14 simulators are used at the Space and Rocket Center.
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This is no replica: it's Apollo 16 at its finest! One of the best attractions in the space museum.
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I'm outdoors standing next to one of the many rockets on display on the grounds of the Center. They are enormous in size and it's great to get a close-up view of what a rocket really looks like. Compared to me, these rockets look like the size of a house or a football field. This is the actual Saturn 1B rocket used in a previous space mission.
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On my last day, my team and I receive our "wings" and diplomas during Space Academy graduation.
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If you ever have a chance to visit Huntsville, make sure you visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. This is space at its finest! I completed all the challenges, but I have to admit—it was tough! I can say without a doubt that all astronauts are totally committed and absolutely have "the right stuff."
Who
Taylor Jones
How
He won the Science Channel’s Dream Space Camp Award at the 2006 YSC.
Where
The U. S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama
When
June 2007
Mission
To think and react like an astronaut by learning the hands-on skills of NASA astronauts, and participating in mission training during a five-day Space Academy