After beating bone cancer, Hayley Arceneaux believes launching SpaceX’s first private flight into orbit should be no problem.
St. John’s Children’s Research Hospital Jude announced that the 29-year-old medical assistant will rocket into space later this year.
Arceneaux, a former patient of St. Jude, will become the youngest American in space, beating NASA record holder Sally Ride by two years.
He will travel with businessman Jared Isaacman, who uses the space flight he bought to raise money charity. Two more spacewheels will still be joined to choose from.
Arceneaux will be the first person to launch with a prosthesis: an artificial device that replaces a missing or injured body part.
When he was ten, Arceneaux underwent surgery in St. Louis. Jude to replace his knee and put a piece of metal on his left leg. He is still lame and has occasional pain in his legs. Lameness is a term that means walking slowly due to an injury.
Arceneaux has been authorized to fly by SpaceX and will serve as the crew’s medical officer.
“My battle with cancer really prepared me for space travel,” he recently told The Associated Press. “It made it difficult for me and besides, I think it really taught me to wait for the unexpected and to continue the journey.”
Arceneaux wants to show his young patients and other cancer survivors that “the sky is no longer the limit.”
“It’s going to mean a lot to these kids to see a survivor in space,” he said.
Isaacman announced his space flight on Feb. 1, promising to raise $ 200 million for St. Jude. He will provide half of the amount himself. As a self-appointed commander of the flight, he offered to St. Jude one of the four seats aboard the Dragon SpaceX spacecraft.
The hospital chose Arceneaux from among its many workers who had previously been patients. The idea was that one of them could represent the new generation, said Rick Shadyac, president of the St. Louis funding organization. Jude.
Arceneaux was at his home in Memphis, Tennessee, when he received an amazing call in January. He was asked if he would represent St. Judas in space.
A lifelong fan of the space he loves adventures, Arceneaux has traveled a lot and loves it Russian mountains.
Isaacman, who flies fighter jets for fun, considers her perfect.
“It’s not supposed to excite people to be astronauts someday, certainly wow“Isaacman, 38, said last week.” It’s also supposed to be one inspiring message of what we can achieve here on Earth. “
Isaacman has two more people to choose from and plans to announce them in March.
One will be a winner of the contest who makes a donation to St. Jude. So far, more than $ 9 million has been raised for the hospital, Shadyac said. The other seat will be for a business owner who uses Isaacman’s credit card processing company.
The launch is scheduled for this fall at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, with the spacecraft orbiting the Earth for two to four days.
I’m John Russell.
Marcia Dunn reported this story to the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it to learn English. Bryan Lynn was the editor.
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Words in this story
charity – n. an official organization that gives money, food, or help to people in need
artificial – adj. not natural, but made by people
adventure – n. an exciting and sometimes dangerous experience
rollercoaster – n. a ride in an amusement park that is like a small, open train with high ground tracks and sharp curves and steep hills
wow – adj. very fashionable, elegant or attractive in a generally approved way
inspiring – adj. making people want to do or create something or lead a better life
achieve – v. succeed in doing (something)