by Jamie Foster, CSA Information Officer
Ivor Dawson of the Traveling Space Museum took the opportunity of the 4th Annual STEP Conference in Riverside, CA to announce that Justin Houchin, a 17-year-old from Sunland, California, has embarked upon a path that could make him the first teenager in space.
Ivor Dawson explains, "We were sitting around at the Mission Inn, chatting about exciting students about space. Astronaut Richard Searfoss was with us, and he was amazed at how much Lance Bass' efforts at space flight had excited his own teenagers."
"The inevitable conclusion," said Dawson, "was that if you want to interest kids in space then put an interesting kid in space."
Justin Houchin has undertaken to become the First Teenager in Space under the auspices of the Museum. He's an Eagle Scout candidate, athlete, adventurer, SCUBA diver, actor, and plays in two rock bands. He's just started pilot training; his instructor says he's a natural. Oh yes, he's also big on skateboarding and yo-yo. All this before he has a driver's license!
Young Mr. Houchin has officially become a part of the X Prize competition by booking a seat on the second flight of Interorbital System's X Prize entry. Justin's ride will be supported by some cosmonaut training in Russia and the generation of sponsorship funds. See Interorbital's press release on the X Prize Web Site.
Justin is asking school children across the country to contribute a dollar to help cover training expensives. Kids can even join "The First Teenager in Space Fan Club" to help out.
A TV follow-along show is being contemplated under the working title of "Justin's Quest". Also, look for an article about Justin in the December issue of Popular Science.
Justin is currently one of three teen spokespeople for Lockheed Martin-sponsored (among many others) Space Day 2004. This year's event will mark the 200th anniversary of Lewis and Clark's expedition.
Web site: www.firstteenagerinspace.org