After beating bone cancer, Hayley Arceneaux thinks shooting into orbit on SpaceX’s first private flight shouldn’t be a problem at all.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has announced that the 29-year-old doctor’s assistant will fly into space later this year.
Arceneaux – a former patient in St. Jude – becomes 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. Two other space kites still to choose from will join them.
Arceneaux will be the first to launch with a prosthesis – an artificial device that replaces a missing or injured body part.
When she was 10, Arceneaux had an operation in St. Jude to replace her knee and a piece of metal was inserted into her left leg. She is still limping and has occasional leg pain. Limp is a term that means walking 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 recently told The Associated Press. “It made me tough, and then I think it really taught me to expect the unexpected and go with it.”
Arceneaux wants to show her young patients and other cancer survivors that “the sky is not even the limit anymore.”
“It will mean so much to these kids to see a survivor in space,” she said.
Isaacman announced his space flight on Feb. 1 and pledged 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 one of four seats aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft at St. Jude.
The hospital chose Arceneaux from the many workers who had once been patients. The idea was that one of them could represent the new generation, noted Rick Shadyac, president of the St. Jude funding organization.
Arceneaux was at home in Memphis, Tennessee, when she received a surprise call in January. She was asked if she would represent St. Jude in space.
A lifelong space fan who loves adventures, Arceneaux has traveled extensively and loves roller coasters
Isaacman, who flies fighter planes for fun, considers her a perfect match.
‘It’s not just about people getting excited about becoming astronauts one day, and it certainly is coolIsaacman, 38, said last week. ‘It would also be about one inspiring message of what we can do to achieve here on earth. “
Isaacman has two more people to choose from, and he plans to announce them in March.
One is a contest winner who donates to St. Jude. More than $ 9 million has been raised for the hospital so far, Shadyac said. The other seat goes to a business owner who uses Isaacman’s credit card processing company.
Launch is scheduled for this fall at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, with the spacecraft orbiting Earth for two to four days.
I am John Russell.
Marcia Dunn reported this story to the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it to teach English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.
Words in this story
charity – n. an official organization that provides money, food or aid to people in need
artificial – adj. not natural, but made by humans
adventure – n. an exciting and sometimes dangerous experience
roller coaster – n. a ride in an amusement park that resembles a small, open train with tracks that are high above the ground with sharp curves and steep hills
cool – adj. very fashionable, stylish or attractive in a way that is widely accepted
inspiring – adj. making people want to do or create something or live a better life
to achieve – v. succeed in doing (something)