People have been fascinated with “the final frontier” since the dawn of the day when space travel became possible, if not before. With movies like Star Trek and Star Wars being at the peak of popularity and the global reaction to Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket launch, the interest in colonization outside of our planet has never been higher. But while some of us only dream of going on a NASA mission, one girl is making it her reality.

Alyssa Carson is a 17-year-old girl from Baton Rouge, Louisiana who is on a training program to become an astronaut. Her dream is to be the first person on Mars, and she’s aiming for the 2033 Mars One mission. And the girl is surely working towards it. Being the first person to complete the NASA Passport Program by going to all 14 NASA Visitor Centers, Alyssa is also the youngest person to be accepted and graduate the Advanced Possum Academy, officially making her certified to go to space and an astronaut trainee. On top of astronaut training, she is also studying all of her school subjects in four languages (English, Chinese, French, and Spanish). “The biggest [challenge] is time and getting everything done at such a young age while also still attending high school. Continuing to train at a young age will also be further difficulties for me, but I have done great with it so far.” Alyssa told Bored Panda. As her friend mentions in the video below, Alyssa is well aware she can’t get married and start a family, however, Carson understands it and is determined to put it aside to achieve her Mars One dream.

Besides all studying and training, Carson is also a public speaker, aiming to draw interest to space exploration, as well as encourage everyone to seek their dreams. “Always follow your dream and don’t let anyone take it from you,” she says. When asked about personal inspirations, Carson said that “All astronauts, especially women astronauts as they have made the road for me to follow” inspire her.

Update (07/29/18): The article previously stated that Alyssa Carson is being trained in NASA space camp, which is incorrect. We have since corrected the information and apologize for the confusion.

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Meet Alyssa Carson, a 17-year-old girl from Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Despite her young age, she is training to become an astronaut

She aims to be part of the first human mission to Mars on 2033

The mission is part of the effort to establish a human colony on Mars, that could one day save our species

Alyssa first thought of going to Mars when she was 3, after seeing the TV show “The Backyardigans”

Ever since then Carson has been working hard to achieve her goals

In 2008, Bert Carson, her father, enrolled her in the United States Space Camp

She quickly became the first person to visit all three NASA Space Camps

Five years later, Alyssa was the first person to complete the NASA Passport Program by going to all 14 NASA Visitor Centers

Carson is also the youngest person to be accepted and graduate the Advanced Possum Academy

Which officially makes her certified to go to space and an astronaut trainee

With incredibly demanding astronaut training, Alyssa also studies all her school subjects in 4 languages

While not being able to apply to be an astronaut until she turns 18, Carson is the youngest applicant to International Space University

“The biggest [challenge] is time and getting everything done at such a young age” Alyssa told Bored Panda

Alyssa started “Blueberry Foundation”, named after her call sign Blueberry

That’s aiming to encourage kids to seek their dreams and give opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have

As well as draw interest to space travel and her mission

“Always follow your dream and don’t let anyone take it from you,” Alyssa says

As her friend mentions in the video below, Alyssa is well aware she can’t get married and start a family

However, Carson understands it and is determined to put it aside in order to achieve her dream

Watch the video below to see Alyssa’s journey and goals

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