First Footprints on Mars: The Mission Begins with Alyssa Carson

What is Mars, and why does it captivate the human imagination? Known as the Red Planet, Mars is Earth’s closest planetary neighbor and a prime candidate in the search for past or present extraterrestrial life. For decades, scientists have viewed Mars as the next frontier for human exploration a place where we could someday establish a second home.

Since the 1960s, over 50 missions have been sent to explore Mars, including orbiters, landers, and rovers. NASA’s Perseverance and Curiosity rovers have uncovered critical evidence of ancient water and potentially habitable conditions. However, despite their technological advancements, robotic missions have limitations they move slowly, have restricted mobility, and can only perform pre-programmed tasks. A human presence on Mars would enable real-time decision-making, deep geological sampling, and faster scientific discovery, accelerating our understanding of the planet’s history and habitability.

Today, we are honored to speak with Alyssa Carson, a pioneering young space enthusiast widely recognized as a strong contender to become the first human to set foot on Mars. Call sign “NASA Blueberry”. Alyssa began her training at an early age, attending every NASA space camp worldwide. She holds certifications in applied astronautics, water survival, G-force training, and advanced robotics. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in space and planetary science, with a research focus on astrobiology the study of life in the universe and the potential for life on Mars.

Let’s hear directly from the aspiring astronaut who is reaching for the stars and aiming to make history on the Red Planet.

Many people have asked about your call sign, NASA Blueberry. Could you share the story behind it, and how you received this call sign? Typically, call signs are associated with the military or air forces, so it seems unusual, especially considering you do not have a military background.

Alyssa:
When I was first getting interested in space, one of the big things that was so fascinating was being able to go to Space Camp. That’s kind of where I heard about call signs, especially through meeting other astronauts who would say things like, “Oh, my call sign is this.” I always thought that was so fascinating.

During one of my visits, they decided that we would all receive call signs. I wanted one of the blue flight suits that I saw everyone wearing, but I was basically too small to fit into any of them. So, my dad ended up finding this knock-off one, like a fake one, and it was a completely different color than everyone else’s. It was a very dark shade of blue, and I stood out. So, they kept saying I looked like a little blueberry. The entire time they were calling me “Blueberry.”
Even when I went back to Space Camp the next time, they were like, “Oh look, Blueberry’s back!” and “Blueberry this, Blueberry that.” It just kind of stuck and kept going. Later, when I made my first social media accounts, which originally were just for family and things like that, I thought, “Well, they’ve been calling me Blueberry, so let’s make that the account name.”
Typically, in the early days, most astronauts came from the military, so the tradition of call signs transitioned into the space industry. All the military guys who were pilots and became astronauts brought that tradition with them. So now, most astronauts usually get some sort of call sign when they’re planning a mission.

Can you take us back to the very beginning? When did you first start dreaming about going to Mars, and what inspired you? How did you come to the decision that you wanted to go there?

Alyssa:
I’ve always been interested in space. I can’t really remember ever not being interested in it. I remember asking for books, videos, and things like that about space. The only thing my dad and I can think back to as a spark or initial influence was a cartoon I watched as a kid. It had an episode titled Mission to Mars, and I had a poster from that episode. That’s really the only place we can think of where I might have first heard about Mars or space.

I started asking my dad a lot of questions about space because, you know, he’s supposed to know everything. But he didn’t really know much about space at all. He mentioned people going to the Moon and said more things would probably happen, but he didn’t have many answers. That kind of sparked my initial interest. From there, the more I learned about space, the more I loved it. I was constantly learning more and wanting to know more.

As for my age when I watched that cartoon, it was called The Backyardigans, which aired on Nickelodeon. I don’t know exactly how old I was, since we only started thinking back on it later. But it was probably somewhere between age 3 and 5. So it was just an early interest.

Who are some of your role models in space exploration or science, and how have they influenced your journey?

Alyssa:
I’ve always been really inspired, especially by other female astronauts, and being able to hear their stories and look up to them. When I was nine, I met Sandra Magnus, who was a shuttle astronaut. She was one of the first female astronauts who sat down and told me how she got interested when she was nine. Hearing her story and how she got to where she had really inspired me.

I feel like anytime I’ve had the opportunity to meet someone, I really try to hear how they did it and which steps they took to make it a reality. So, she was a big influence. As I got older, there were definitely a few others. Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger I met her many times, and she was always so kind and inspiring.

It’s kind of surreal because some of them are now commercial astronauts. I know some of them quite well, and it’s so exciting to see people living out their dreams and aspirations, and to see space becoming more accessible.

Let’s talk about your education and scientific background. You are pursuing a PhD in astrobiology. What exactly is astrobiology?

Alyssa:
My PhD is broadly in space and planetary science, but all my research is astrobiology-related. My interests and topics are all within the realm of astrobiology, specifically the potential for past life on Mars.

I work in a mix of microbiology and astrobiology, basically doing different tests to see if there are any microorganisms that could survive the conditions on Mars. Those conditions can vary, including pressure, temperature, desiccation, and so on, to really see: could there have been a possibility?

Obviously, we think Mars used to have a lot more water than it does today, so it’s possible that water could have been used by some form of organism. We run tests along those lines, and that’s the primary focus of my research.

What are some of the most advanced or interesting technologies you have used during your training, and what do you think will shape future space missions?

Alyssa:
Yeah, that’s really interesting. I think one thing that I feel very fortunate to have worked on to a degree was some of the citizen science work that I was able to do outside of schooling, specifically being able to do some work with space suits. I found that part really fascinating, especially because space suits are so complex, and the fact that we have any sort of technology that can actually protect us is incredible.

Being able to help work on that was really exciting. We basically worked with Final Frontier’s space suit design team, and we were doing the initial testing of the suits can you do this, can you do that, what improvements need to be made? That was really fascinating, to see that process a bit more and talk to them about their ideas and thought process behind putting something like this together.

I think that was one of the coolest things I’ve been able to see on a deeper level and really talk to someone about.

You have been learning several languages. What is the motive behind this? Why are you learning so many languages? Is it a personal choice, or is it part of your mission? You are learning Chinese, French, and Arabic. Are there any other languages you are currently learning?

Alyssa:
It actually had nothing to do with my own aspirations at first. I was just very fortunate to have an international school nearby, and one of my dad’s good friends was sending her kids there. I was reaching school age around that time, and the school had only been open for a few years.

My dad had done a lot of traveling when he was younger because he worked as a freelance videographer. He experienced visiting many countries but not always being able to communicate effectively. So, he really resonated with the idea of learning languages and being able to truly connect with people. He was interested in me having that experience as well.
I started there in kindergarten, and it was a fully immersive school. We would take all our different classes in different languages. For a while, I had English math, French math, Spanish math essentially the same subjects taught in different languages. Eventually, we transitioned to just having language classes, but it was very enriching. We had people from all over the world, and every teacher was from a native country, coming to teach their language.

It was very immersive and engaging. Teachers would often share personal stories like, “When I was a little girl, this is what I had for breakfast,” and learning the culture made learning the language so much more enjoyable. You got to hear about their childhoods and experiences. It was a really special experience, and I think starting that from a young age gave me a deep appreciation for language and for travel as well.

When I was in school, I primarily studied English, French, and Spanish, and I also studied Mandarin for a while. Currently, I’m not actively learning a new language, but through personal travel, I’ve picked up small bits here and there. For example, when I was in Turkey, I spent time chatting with some local girls, and we tried to teach each other different things. So there have been small experiences like that, but nothing too focused at the moment.

At what age did you begin your space-related training, particularly with NASA or any affiliated organizations?

Alyssa:
For the most part, when I was a kid, I was mainly trying all sorts of different camps to gain experience. I knew I liked space, but I had no idea what specifically interested me or what I would want to work on. I didn’t know whether I wanted to be a pilot, work in science, or something else entirely. So, I explored various options for a while.

When I was 13, I began trying to get involved more seriously. I enjoyed the camps, but I really wanted to be part of something more scientific. I think I had an interest in research from a young age I really wanted to be part of the science that was happening.

Eventually, I found out about a program called Project PoSSUM (Project Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere), which is now known as the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS). It was a citizen science organization that I started working with. They were very supportive and allowed me to begin participating at a younger age.

By the time I was 15, I was involved in more science-related activities. It started with their research on noctilucent clouds in the upper atmosphere and later transitioned into work related to space suits and other space systems. The projects rotated through different scientific opportunities, and being able to work with them was significant because it felt like I was contributing to science.

As for NASA, I’ve never been directly affiliated with them. I’ve done a lot of work in conjunction with NASA, but I wouldn’t say that I’ve worked for them in any formal capacity.

What type of training have you undergone so far? Did you find any part of the training particularly difficult or intimidating? Is there any experience you would like to share where you felt it was a particularly challenging or even terrifying moment?

Alyssa:
Essentially, how I approached this whole journey was that I wanted to pursue something in the space industry. After talking to different astronauts and hearing about what experiences helped them get to where they wanted to be, I tried to emulate that or do something I thought would be similar.

Growing up, I focused on things like getting my scuba diving license, becoming a private pilot, and skydiving all different activities that could, in some way, simulate microgravity. Through some of the citizen science work I did, I was also able to participate in water survival training. For example, when a capsule returns from space, you learn how to handle that, how to swim in a space suit, and similar tasks. That was one of the more challenging ones because it was so physically demanding. We wanted to see not only if you could do it as a crew, but also individually could you manage it on your own? That was a great experience.

Microgravity flights were also exciting. I’ve done one for research purposes and another just for fun. It was incredible to experience what microgravity might feel like. It was also interesting to see the scientific side how we can take such a fascinating technology that simulates microgravity here on Earth and turn it into science projects as well.

As someone so young pursuing such a demanding goal, what personal sacrifices have you made along the way?

Alyssa:
I think, first of all, the biggest sacrifice has been the time commitment and, at times, a certain distance from what might be considered a typical or “normal” life. Of course, it was something I really wanted to do, but it definitely required a lot of time.

I think my dad was very good at teaching me how to separate my time. I wasn’t always talking about space it wasn’t space 24/7. There were periods when we would focus more on space-related activities, such as during the summer when I was out of school or when specific opportunities came up. During those times, I could focus more intensely on something space related.

However, on a day-to-day basis at school, everything remained completely normal. I think that balance helped a lot. I’m often asked how I avoid burnout or how I continue to enjoy space after all these years, and I believe that having that separation made a big difference. Anytime I worked on something related to space, it was during dedicated time, which made it exciting rather than a burden. That separation was a huge help in making it all sustainable.

Is your training specifically designed to help you overcome the environmental and psychological challenges expected on Mars?

Alyssa:
I think that, specifically for what is needed for a Mars mission, much of it is still somewhat uncertain. There is a lot that remains unknown. The psychological aspect has been studied for some time, which is why we’ve seen research in that area for example, the study involving Scott Kelly, who spent over a year in space while his twin brother remained on Earth, allowing for direct comparisons.

There is still much we want to understand about living on Mars. Several questions regarding a mission to Mars are still being resolved, which is why I feel excited to be working in the research and science side of space. I know there are still challenges in working out the logistics of a mission to Mars, and it’s fascinating to see research being conducted that may eventually be applied to human spaceflight there.

I believe some of those unknowns will become clearer once missions to the Moon begin, allowing for longer-term flights in that capacity.

Has any estimated time frame for the mission been given, or is there an exact planned date?

Alyssa:
I think the original plan for a long time was sometime in the 2030s. But looking at the current trajectory, according to what NASA has stated, their focus is on the Artemis program to return to the Moon. The idea is to eventually have a permanent presence on the Moon by 2028, which would mean some sort of habitat, base, or something along those lines.

There have been some delays with the second Artemis mission, which will be the first crewed mission, so we’ll have to see how that timeline changes. Once that happens, a more accurate timeline for a potential Mars mission could emerge.

That, of course, is just based on what NASA has said. There are also other organizations like SpaceX, who may be working toward their own objectives and missions. So, it really depends on who is leading and where they are in their respective processes. SpaceX has mentioned many times their intention to pursue a Mars mission.

The landscape is constantly evolving, and there have been many changes, especially in recent years. There has been a significant increase in interest, with more people wanting to get involved and many new space companies emerging. I think we are in a new era, where it will be interesting to see what happens with so many different players now involved.

You mentioned that by 2028 there may be a base camp established on the Moon. Will travel to Mars begin directly from Earth, or will it be from the Moon? How exactly is it planned? I would like to understand the process.

Alyssa:
The idea of having some sort of presence on the Moon would be completely separate from a Mars mission. It would be a different objective, but the goal would be to conduct more long-term missions to the Moon first, prior to undertaking a full mission to Mars mainly due to how much farther Mars is.

It would function more as a series of test missions. Additionally, it would provide another research platform besides the International Space Station. The Moon would become the next location for such long-duration research and testing.

What spacecraft or rocket system is currently expected to take you to Mars? For example, could it be SpaceX, Lockheed Martin’s Orion, or NASA’s own spacecraft? Since time is a major factor and the travel duration is significant, is this already under consideration?

Alyssa:
For quite some time, there has been the idea that the newest SLS (Space Launch System) would be the rocket to return to the Moon and eventually go on to Mars. When that program first started, they were using many of the older shuttle engines, repurposing them for this mission. That led to the discussion that a mission to Mars could take about six months to reach the planet.

There has been a lot of conversation around developing better engines and improved technology. The goal, I believe, would be to implement newer engines on that same rocket, which would hopefully reduce the travel time from six months to six weeks. That would make the timeline much more realistic for sending people to Mars.

With a six-month timeline, the mission becomes extremely long due to the time required for the crew to stay there and then return, which introduces many challenges. In my opinion, we would need to wait until newer engines are available to make that timeline shorter and more manageable.

Will this mission be a solo journey, or will you be part of a crew? How is it planned will the spacecraft be autonomously operated, or will you be operating it yourself? Are you preparing for that specifically?

Alyssa:
I think the general plan for any sort of mission to Mars has always involved a relatively large crew, probably around six to seven people. When we first went to the Moon, it was a crew of three, so that number would need to increase, especially considering the complexity of a mission to Mars. You would want someone with a pilot background, someone with a medical background, and a variety of other roles in a crew like that.

For me personally, I’ve always been fascinated by space, and Mars was just the next destination I could imagine when I was younger, thinking, “Where could we go next?” I understand that much of it is out of my control what missions are planned, who is selected, and so on. At this point, I would be thrilled to be part of any mission in any capacity.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for everything that happens in the space industry, and I would love to contribute to it in some way. We’ll see how that plays out and where it might take me.

Mars’ atmosphere contains 95.3% carbon dioxide, and the oxygen level is only 0.13%. How are you planning to stay on the Martian surface after landing? What exactly is the duration and structure of the planned mission?

Alyssa:
Yes, I think the idea would be to perform some sort of landing, and then it depends on the year when the mission would take place. Essentially, we would need to consider the positions of Mars and Earth in their orbits. Ideally, the mission would be planned when Mars is closer to Earth in its orbit. This alignment would allow for shorter travel time and easier return. If the launch is mistimed, the travel time could be significantly longer, so the timing is critical.

In terms of oxygen and related life support, I think we will need to utilize many of the technologies developed for the International Space Station, such as oxygen scrubbers and systems that convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. Reusability of life-support resources will be key. The ISS has provided an excellent model for how astronauts can live for extended periods using minimal resources. Many of those concepts are likely to be adapted for a mission to Mars.

Once you land on Mars, will the other crew members remain in orbit while you descend to the surface? After completing your mission, how will you return to the spacecraft? It currently seems very challenging to land on Mars and return. Could you explain the planned process for returning to the spacecraft after landing?

Alyssa:
Yes, that is similar to the dynamic used during the Moon missions. There was a spacecraft in orbit, one astronaut remained onboard, and two descended to the surface with a lunar lander. For a Mars mission, depending on its duration, it is likely that all astronauts will land on the surface and stay in a habitat for a certain period. It depends on the length and objectives of the mission.

There is some value in having a crew member remain in orbit, as they could conduct a different type of science, such as studying the atmosphere or weather patterns tasks that are difficult to perform from the surface. Meanwhile, those on the surface could focus on collecting rock samples, analysing soil composition, and conducting other geological investigations.

These are two distinct scientific objectives. The final plan will depend on the mission’s goals. If any kind of orbital-surface separation is involved, it would likely resemble the Moon mission approach, where a lander separates from the main spacecraft and later returns to reconnect.

What will be your primary mission objective once you land on Mars? Will it be limited to sample collection, or will you also be involved in building some kind of environment or laboratory there? Are you mainly going to gather data about Mars, or is the goal to explore the possibility of past life? Since your field of study is astrobiology, will your focus be on collecting samples to investigate whether life ever existed on Mars?

Alyssa:
Yes. I think personally, my biggest area of interest would be the astrobiology side being able to observe the different environments on Mars. Depending on the region, there are areas with carbon dioxide ice, some that are much drier, and others with different compositions, all of which impact potential survivability. There is significant opportunity to explore various regions on Mars and better understand the potential for life to have once existed there.

That would be my primary focus due to my background in astrobiology. It is a fascinating area. More broadly, understanding the overall environment of Mars is also important. We currently have many theories about what happened on Mars and what might exist there, but when using rovers or satellites, progress is slow. A human mission would accelerate these investigations significantly. It would depend on what is actively being studied at the time of the mission and how much more could be accomplished by adding a human presence.

For example, if we discover evidence of past life on Mars, or confirm that water once existed and may still exist beneath the surface, how is NASA planning to proceed? Are there any plans to utilize that water or attempt to transform Mars into an Earth-like environment? Once these discoveries are confirmed, what is the proposed course of action for moving forward?

Alyssa:
I don’t believe NASA has any direct or finalized plans regarding what would happen immediately after discovering evidence of past life or confirming subsurface water on Mars. Personally, I think our collective interest in astrobiology is driven by some of the most fundamental and unique questions that humanity has such as “Are we alone in the universe?” These are almost philosophical questions, but they fuel a strong desire to seek answers and understand if there is life beyond Earth.

There’s also the scientific curiosity not just about Mars, but about other biologically intriguing places in our solar system, like Titan or Europa. These places have extremely different environments, and we want to know whether life can adapt to conditions that are vastly different from Earth. For instance, can organisms survive in sub-zero temperatures, or in environments dominated by methane and ethane? Would they be able to adapt to such extremes?

To a great extent, this pursuit is about satisfying a deeply rooted human curiosity. It’s also about expanding our understanding of what life is, how it evolves, and where it can exist. Such findings could reshape our understanding of biology and potentially inform future steps, including habitability or resource utilization on Mars.

Did NASA give you a clear guideline regarding your journey to Mars and return? There is a perception that such a mission could be a one-way trip. Has NASA provided any clarity on whether you would be going to Mars and returning, or is there any possibility of it being a one-way mission?

Alyssa:
Yes, NASA has clearly stated that they would never conduct a one-way mission. Their goals have always been to pursue science and exploration, but with a return component included. They have consistently emphasized that any mission they conduct would involve returning the crew.
There have been companies in the past that have mentioned the idea of one-way missions and considered it as an option, but NASA itself has never supported or planned a mission of that nature. They would always have return mission plans in place.

As for me personally, my goal is to complete my PhD and then apply to NASA’s astronaut selection process and continue from there.