Alyssa Carson’s dream began when she was just three years old — watching an animated TV show about a mission to Mars. That childhood spark became a lifelong pursuit. Today, Carson, born in Hammond, Louisiana in 2001, is one of the world’s youngest and most recognized space enthusiasts, training relentlessly to become one of the first humans on the Red Planet.
For Carson, the journey hasn’t been a casual fascination; it’s been a structured mission. By her early teens, she had attended every NASA Space Camp in the world and became the only person to complete NASA’s “Passport Program,” which required visiting all 14 NASA visitor centers. (Source: Wikipedia)
Her training went far beyond museum visits. She joined Project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere) — a research and astronautics training program — where she completed certification in applied astronautics at just 16 years old. (Source: The Female Lead)
By 18, Carson had earned her pilot’s license and participated in advanced simulations, including underwater training, G-force tolerance exercises, decompression protocols, and zero-gravity flights. She even trained in water survival and emergency evacuation scenarios, preparing for the harshest realities of space.
Despite the attention and achievements, Carson is not yet an official NASA astronaut. NASA has confirmed that while she has attended its programs, she is not part of its astronaut corps or selection pipeline. (Source: Snopes)
Still, her commitment hasn’t wavered. Today, Carson focuses on the science behind her dream — earning a bachelor’s degree in Astrobiology from the Florida Institute of Technology and pursuing a Ph.D. in Space and Planetary Sciences at the University of Arkansas. (Source: University of Arkansas News)
Her research dives into the question of whether microbes can survive in Martian-like conditions — work that could prove vital for future missions. In 2025, she received a NASA FINESST (Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology) grant to support her doctoral studies, a major recognition for an early-career researcher.
Alyssa has also become a global ambassador for space exploration. Through public talks, interviews, and her social media presence under the handle @NASABlueberry, she inspires thousands of young people — especially girls — to pursue science and aim high. (Source: Innotech Today)
However, the path to Mars comes with unimaginable risks. Many of the proposed missions to Mars — including NASA’s and SpaceX’s future concepts — do not guarantee a return trip to Earth. The environment is extreme: thin atmosphere, lethal radiation, dust storms, and temperatures that can drop below -100°C.
Yet Carson has made peace with the danger. In an interview, she said she’s fully aware that early missions might be one-way but believes “exploration always comes with sacrifice.” (Source: Design Museum Q&A)
Her father, Bert Carson, has supported her unwaveringly through years of training, travel, and study. He once told reporters that his biggest challenge isn’t convincing Alyssa to slow down — it’s keeping up with her pace and passion.
Critics argue that media coverage sometimes exaggerates her astronaut status. But even they acknowledge her determination and scientific achievements as exceptional for her age. Carson has never claimed she’s guaranteed a seat on a Mars flight — only that she’s preparing herself so that, when the opportunity comes, she’ll be ready.
As Mars exploration gains traction with private players like SpaceX and Blue Origin, the possibility of a human mission within the next two decades grows more realistic. If that happens, Alyssa Carson may be among the best-prepared candidates — scientifically, physically, and mentally — to take that giant leap.
Her journey is a reminder that humanity’s reach for the stars begins with individual dreamers. For Carson, that dream isn’t about fame — it’s about pushing the boundary of what’s possible.
