After beating bone cancer, Hayley Arceneaux believes that launching SpaceX’s first private flight into orbit should not be a problem at all.
Children’s Research Hospital St. Jude announced that the 29-year-old doctor’s assistant will rocket into space later this year.
Arceneaux – a former patient at St. Jude – will become the youngest American in space, beating NASA record holder Sally Ride by more than two years.
She will travel with businessman Jared Isaacman, who uses the space flight he bought to raise money. charity. They will join two other space leaflets to be chosen.
Arceneaux will be the first person to launch with a prosthesis – year artificial device that replaces a missing or injured body part.
When she was 10, Arceneaux underwent surgery at St. Jude to replace his knee and a piece of metal was placed on his left leg. He is still limping and has occasional leg pain. Limp is a term that means to walk slowly because of an injury.
Arceneaux has been authorized to fly by SpaceX 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 hard and I also think it really taught me to expect the unexpected and go for a walk.”
Arceneaux wants to show her young patients and other cancer survivors that “the sky is no longer even the limit.”
“It will mean so much to these children to see a survivor in space,” she said.
Isaacman announced his space flight on February 1, promising to raise $ 200 million for St. Jude. He will provide half of the amount himself. As the self-appointed commander of the flight, he offered St. Jude one of the four seats aboard the spaceship Dragon SpaceX.
The hospital chose Arceneaux from among its many workers who were once patients. The idea was that one of them could represent the new generation, said Rick Shadyac, president of St. Paul’s funding organization. Jude.
Arceneaux was at home in Memphis, Tennessee, when he received a surprise phone call in January. She was asked if she would represent St. Jude in space.
A lifelong space fan who loves adventures, Arceneaux has traveled a lot and loves carousel.
Isaacman, who flies fighter jets for fun, considers it a perfect match.
“Everything is not supposed to stimulate people to be astronauts someday, which is certainly coolIsaacman, 38, said last week. “It simply came to our notice then inspiring message about what we can realize here on Earth. ”
Isaacman has two more to choose from and plans to announce them in March.
One will be a winner of the contest that donates to St. Jude. So far, more than $ 9 million has been raised for the hospital, Shadyac said. The other place will go to a business owner who uses the Isaacman credit card processing company.
The launch is scheduled for this fall at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, with the spacecraft orbiting Earth for two to four days.
I’m John Russell.
Marcia Dunn reported the story to the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.
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Words in this story
charity – n. an official organization that provides money, food or help to people in need
artificial – adj. not natural, but man-made
venture – n. an exciting and sometimes dangerous experience
Rollercoaster – n. a ride in an amusement park that is like a small, open train with rails that are raised off the ground and have sharp curves and steep hills
cool – adj. very fashionable, elegant or attractive in a way that is generally approved
inspiring – adj. causing people to want to do or create something or lead a better life
realize – v. manage to do (something)