The Space Mission Adventure

The Space Mission Adventure by Sharon M. Draper Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: The Space Mission Adventure by Sharon M. Draper Read Free Book Online
Authors: Sharon M. Draper
asked.



“Of course!”
    â€œWhat do you have to do to qualify?” Jessica asked.
    â€œFirst, you need a college degree in math or science or engineering—the more education the better,” she began.
    â€œDo you have to be in the army or navy?” Neil wanted to know.
    â€œNot necessarily. Many of the astronauts are, but I’m not.”
    â€œDo you think it will help that I’ve been to Space Camp?” Cubby asked.
    Ms. Washington laughed. “I’m sure it couldn’t hurt.”
    â€œWhat about a physical? I guess you gotta be healthy,” Rico said.
    â€œAbsolutely! The physical and mental tests are pretty tough.”
    â€œI know that women can be assigned to flights, but are you the only African-American astronaut?” Rashawn asked shyly.
    â€œI’m glad you asked that question,” Ms.Washington answered. “Let me tell you just a little about minorities in our program. Since the program began, there have been more than a dozen African-American astronauts.”
    Jerome raised his hand. “I did a report on them for school, so I know that Robert Lawrence was the very first black astronaut, but he died before he could go into space,” he explained. “Guion Bluford was the first African American to fly in space, and Ronald McNair died during the Challenger accident in 1986.”
    Ms. Washington looked pleased. “Excellent!” she said. “Do you know who was the first African-American woman in space?”
    â€œYou?” Ziggy asked hopefully.
    â€œNo, man!” Rico said. “She already told us she hasn’t been up in space yet. It was Mae Jemison, wasn’t it, Ms. Washington?”
    â€œYes! I am truly impressed by all your knowledge!” she said, pleasure in her voice. “We have also had six Hispanic astronauts.”
    â€œI knew that,” Cubby said excitedly.
    â€œYou guys don’t need me at all,” Ms. Washington told the group. “I’d hire you to go in space tomorrow. You just need to be a little taller!” She laughed.
    â€œAre there any other women astronauts?” Nicolina asked.
    Ms. Washington nodded. “There’s a Hispanic woman, Ellen Ochoa, in the program now,” she told the group. “She’s been on four space flights. There are some Hispanic men in the program as well. Franklin Chang-Dìaz has been on eight shuttle missions, and Michael Lopez-Alegria has walked in space.”
    â€œAre you excited about going into space, Ms. Washington?” Jessica asked.
    â€œAbsolutely. This is what I have prepared for all my life,” she replied with feeling.
    â€œDo you believe in life on other planets, Ms. Washington?” Ziggy asked politely.
    â€œI believe in possibilities,” she told him as she touched him on the shoulder. “That’s why I’m in this program.”
    The group walked slowly back to Rocket Park, each one thinking of hope and dreams.

“SHE WAS REALLY COOL, MON,” ZIGGY SAID TO Jerome as he skipped down the path.
    â€œI can’t believe we met a real live astronaut!” Rashawn said with excitement.
    â€œDo you think if I showed her this thing I found that she could tell us what it is, mon?” Ziggy took the strange object out of his pocket. It seemed to catch the sunlight, and it almost seemed to glow in his hand.
    â€œDon’t bother her with silly stuff like that, Ziggy,” Rico replied. “She’s much too important to deal with your imaginary space stuff.”
    â€œI guess you’re right, mon.” Ziggy sighed and put it back in his pocket.
    As they got closer to Rocket Park, Samantha turned to the group and asked, “Are you guys ready for the Space Shot and the G-Force Accelerator?”
    â€œOoh, ready, mon!” Ziggy said eagerly as they hurried over to the area where the outside simulators stood waiting.
    Ms. Washington still walked with them. “I think

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