After battling bone cancer, Hayley Arceneaux believes a runway in a runway on SpaceX’s first private flight should not be a problem at all.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has announced that the 29-year-old medical assistant will enter space later this year.
Arceneaux – a former patient in St. Jude – will become the youngest American in space, with more than two years NASA record holder Sally Ride.
She will travel with businessman Jared Isaacman, who uses the spaceflight he bought to raise money. charity. Two other, still-selectable space kites will join them.
Arceneaux will be the first person to start a prosthesis – a artificial device that replaces a missing or injured part of the body.
When she was 10, Arceneaux had an operation in St. Louis. Jude done to replace her knee and put a piece of metal in her left leg. She is still lame and has occasional leg pain. Slack is a term that means to walk slowly due to an injury.
Arceneaux has been released by SpaceX to fly and will serve as the crew’s medical officer.
“My battle with cancer has really prepared me for space travel,” she told the Associated Press recently. “It made me tough, and then I think it really taught me to expect the unexpected and ride along.”
Arceneaux wants to show her young patients and other cancer survivors that “the air is not even the limit anymore.”
“It’s going to mean so much to these children to see a survivor in space,” she said.
Isaacman announced his spaceflight on February 1, promising $ 200 million for St. Jude to collect. He will provide half of the amount himself. As self-appointed commander of the flight, he took one of the four seats aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft at St. Louis. Jude offered.
The hospital selected Arceneaux from its numerous workers who were formerly patients. The idea was that one of them could represent the new generation, says Rick Shadyac, president of St. Jude’s Financing Organization.
Arceneaux was at home in Memphis, Tennessee, when she received a surprise call in January. She was asked if she was St. Jude in space would represent.
A lifelong space fan who loves adventure, Arceneaux traveled widely and loved octopus.
Isaacman, who flies fighter jets for fun, considers her a perfect fit.
‘It’s not all that’s supposed to get people excited about being astronauts one day, that’s for sure. cool, ”Isaacman (38) said last week. ‘It’s also about a inspiring message of what we can reach here on earth. ”
Isaacman has two more people to choose from, and he plans to announce them in March.
One of them will be a match winner competing at St. Jude donated. So far, more than $ 9 million has been raised for the hospital, Shadyac said. The other seat will go to a business owner using Isaacman’s credit card processing business.
The launch is scheduled for this fall in NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, with the spacecraft orbiting the earth for two to four days.
I’m John Russell.
Marcia Dunn reported on the story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it to learn English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.
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Words in this story
charity – n. an official organization that provides money, food or assistance to people in need
artificial – adj. not natural but man-made
adventure – n. an exciting and sometimes dangerous experience
tumble train – n. a ride at an amusement park like a small, open train with tracks high from the ground and with sharp arches and steep hills
cool – adj. very fashionable, stylish or attractive in a way that is generally accepted
inspiring – adj. which causes people to want to do or create something or lead better lives
reach – v. to succeed in doing (something)