I hope I get to go to space (or at least to the #nasatweetup)

One Christmas, my mum bought my sister and I a movie for our stockings. Mine was Space Camp. The ever informative IMDB describes Space Camp as the story of a group of American kids who go to space camp during the summer holidays. They learn how to operate the Space Shuttle. A team, consisting of a guy who just entered to meet girls, a wannabe astronaut and an instructor (who wanted to go on a mission instead of teaching), win the chance to sit in the Shuttle while the engines are tested. Then they’re launched by mistake…Ooo kids in space. It also starred a bevvie of (now) well known actors including Kate Capshaw, Lea Thompson, Kelly Preston, Tate Donovan, Tom Skerritt and the super cute kid version of Joaquin Phoenix who played Max, the little boy his robot friend Jinx wanted to send to space (hence the whole being accidently launched thing).

Though I watched this film religiously, my love of space didn’t come from a film. It came from the classroom. We talked solar systems, made panoramas circling round a light bulb sun, constructed sun viewers out of cardboard and mirrors so we could safely watch the solar eclipse. I sat crosslegged on an edge of carpet in primary school to watch the launch of a shuttle into space. Reading every book possible, I researched what I needed to do to be an astronaut. My plan? To actually be the first kid in space (The kids in the movie didn’t count). I learned all the constellations and dreamed I’d get a telescope one day.

Yes. I joined science club.

And that little piece of genius called the Canada Arm? My country made that.

Most of all, I remember the day of the Challenger crash. The space shuttle ripped in two, the plume of white smoke forking into bright blue sky. Reagan said at the memorial, “Sometimes, when we reach for the stars, we fall short.” Through all the disaster, in my child’s mind, all I could think of is that a mum died - the first member of the Teacher in Space program. How was that possible? I’ll never forget her face.

So I saw yesterday that there were entries being taken for a #nasatweetup - 150 people will be selected to see the very last launch of Space shuttle Atlantis before it is retired to a hanger somewhere to gather dust. It is, in fact, the last launch before the whole program is retired. The lucky winners will get to tour NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, view the shuttle launch and speak with NASA managers, astronauts, shuttle technicians and engineers.

I know its too late for me to go into space but I hope I get selected for this. It’s a long shot but the 6 year old in me is holding it’s breath. Isn’t that what you do to make your dreams come true?