{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Journey to the Stars: An Interview with Astronaut Aspirant Alyssa Carson","description":"Explore the inspiring story of Alyssa Carson, a passionate space enthusiast aiming to become an astronaut and destined for Mars. From childhood curiosity to citizen science and space education, Alyssa shares her journey, insights into space missions like Artemis, and practical advice for the next generation. In this episode:&amp;nbsp; \u25cf Alyssa shares her lifelong fascination with space and her earliest memories of curiosity about the cosmos \u25cf The impact of space camp in shaping her passion and skills \u25cf How her diverse experiences\u2014water survival, zero G flights, pilot\u2019s license\u2014prepare her for space \u25cf The evolving goals of the space industry, including Artemis, Mars missions, and space tourism \u25cf The importance of resilience, problem-solving, and staying adaptable in pursuit of space dreams \u25cf Opportunities in astrobiology and microbiology related to Mars exploration \u25cf Her perspectives on the future of space travel accessibility for ordinary people \u25cf Tips and motivational words for young people dreaming of space careers Timestamps:&amp;nbsp; 00:00 - Introduction and Alyssa\u2019s space origin story 02:38 - The significance of space camp in her journey 05:42 - Building skills through diverse training experiences 09:28 - The interdisciplinary nature of astrobiology and microbiology 12:36 - Her studies at Florida Tech and focus on Mars exploration 16:15 - How &quot;The Martian&quot; movie aligns with her interests 17:27 - Moving into her PhD and future plans in space industry 21:34 - The trajectory of lunar and Mars missions, space tourism potential 23:33 - The significance of Artemis and lunar exploration for humanity 28:36 - Upcoming opportunities and her advice to young space enthusiasts 33:34 - Closing thoughts and Alyssa\u2019s message for aspiring astronauts Resources &amp;amp; Links:&amp;nbsp; \u25cf So You Want To Be An Astronaut: The Book \u25cf Ready For Lift Off:  Becoming An Astronaut Of The Mars Generation \u25cf Alyssa Carson - https:\/\/alyssacarson.com\/ \u25cf NASA Artemis Program https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/artemis\/ \u25cf Florida Tech Astrobiology Program Connect with Alyssa Carson: \u25cf X https:\/\/x.com\/NASABlueberry1 \u25cf Instagram https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nasablueberry\/ This episode is a must-listen for anyone dreaming of a future beyond Earth, offering a blend of personal motivation and industry insights.  Keep looking up at the stars and stay curious about the future of space in the UK and beyond! Stay connected with us! Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us! Youtube:&amp;nbsp;www.youtube.com\/@astrobenpodcast Website:&amp;nbsp;www.astroben.com Instagram:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/astrobenpodcast\/ X:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/x.com\/Gambleonit Tik Tok:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@astrobenpodcast LinkedIn:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/astrobenpodcast\/ ","author_name":"Astro Ben Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/www.astroben.com\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/40634300\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/200159365"}