Earth to Mars The Mission of Alyssa Carson
Alyssa Carson is an American space science advocate and aspiring astronaut known for her lifelong ambition to be one of the first humans to step on Mars. Born in Hammond Louisiana on March 10 2001 she has dedicated her life to space education public speaking and STEM advocacy. Though not an official NASA astronaut she is widely known for her extensive training and outreach efforts.
Early Passion for Space
Alyssa's fascination with space began at just three years old after watching an animated show that featured a mission to Mars. Inspired she told her father she wanted to go to the red planet. By the age of seven she attended her first NASA Space Camp in Huntsville Alabama. She later became the first person to complete all of NASA's global Space Camps including locations in the United States Canada and Turkey.
Education and Advanced Training
Alyssa graduated from Baton Rouge International School and later earned a degree in astrobiology from Florida Institute of Technology. As of 2025 she is pursuing a PhD in biology at the University of Arkansas where she also teaches undergraduate microbiology. Her hands-on training includes obtaining a pilot license scuba diving skydiving microgravity flight certification and g force and water survival training. She also completed training through Project PoSSUM qualifying her for suborbital science missions.
Achievements and Media Recognition
Carson is the youngest person ever accepted into the Advanced PoSSUM Space Academy. At twelve years old she was invited to speak at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum about future Mars missions. She has appeared in multiple media features including BBC Steve Harvey National Geographic and the documentary The Mars Generation. She also voiced her support for space science on platforms like TEDx and NATO events.
Publications and Outreach
Alyssa authored two books titled So You Want to Be an Astronaut and Ready for Liftoff Becoming an Astronaut of the Mars Generation. Through these works and her foundation she inspires youth particularly girls to explore STEM careers. Her Blueberry Foundation promotes free access to space education and mentorship for young students.
Recognition and Awards
She was honoured with the Louisiana Young Hero Award and the Esprit de Femme Award and named one of Louisiana Life Magazine's Persons of the Year in science. In 2022 she received the Catalyst Award from Florida Tech for women in STEM leadership.
NASA Clarification
Despite her widespread recognition Alyssa Carson is not officially affiliated with NASA. The space agency confirmed she is not part of any astronaut program. However she remains a credible science communicator and aspiring private astronaut candidate.
FAQs
What is Alyssa Carson's main goal?
Her lifelong goal is to be part of the first human crew to travel to and possibly colonize Mars within the 2030s.
Is Alyssa Carson a NASA astronaut?
No she is not employed or trained by NASA but she has undergone private spaceflight training through organizations like Project PoSSUM.
What certifications does she have?
She holds certifications in aquanaut training microgravity simulation suborbital mission training and has completed numerous advanced STEM and aviation programs.
What is the Blueberry Foundation?
It is Alyssa's non profit initiative created to provide STEM education opportunities to students through scholarships and space outreach events.
What books has she written?
She has published So You Want to Be an Astronaut and Ready for Liftoff both focused on space education and youth empowerment in science.
Alyssa's fascination with space began at just three years old after watching an animated show that featured a mission to Mars. Inspired she told her father she wanted to go to the red planet. By the age of seven she attended her first NASA Space Camp in Huntsville Alabama. She later became the first person to complete all of NASA's global Space Camps including locations in the United States Canada and Turkey.
Alyssa graduated from Baton Rouge International School and later earned a degree in astrobiology from Florida Institute of Technology. As of 2025 she is pursuing a PhD in biology at the University of Arkansas where she also teaches undergraduate microbiology. Her hands-on training includes obtaining a pilot license scuba diving skydiving microgravity flight certification and g force and water survival training. She also completed training through Project PoSSUM qualifying her for suborbital science missions.
Carson is the youngest person ever accepted into the Advanced PoSSUM Space Academy. At twelve years old she was invited to speak at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum about future Mars missions. She has appeared in multiple media features including BBC Steve Harvey National Geographic and the documentary The Mars Generation. She also voiced her support for space science on platforms like TEDx and NATO events.
Alyssa authored two books titled So You Want to Be an Astronaut and Ready for Liftoff Becoming an Astronaut of the Mars Generation. Through these works and her foundation she inspires youth particularly girls to explore STEM careers. Her Blueberry Foundation promotes free access to space education and mentorship for young students.
She was honoured with the Louisiana Young Hero Award and the Esprit de Femme Award and named one of Louisiana Life Magazine's Persons of the Year in science. In 2022 she received the Catalyst Award from Florida Tech for women in STEM leadership.
Despite her widespread recognition Alyssa Carson is not officially affiliated with NASA. The space agency confirmed she is not part of any astronaut program. However she remains a credible science communicator and aspiring private astronaut candidate.