There are some moms that have cool and interesting jobs - and then there is Nicole, a national hero and mommy to a seven-year old son.I've been hearing about it for the last 7 years, since I first met Astronaut Nicole Stott's sister Noelle when we worked together at a retail store in Tampa Bay. Noelle, also a working mom and personal trainer for ClubFit, would say, "My sister is a rocket scientist." While in the past I may have tried to "one-up" my friends or colleagues, how could I top this? Actually, I thought it was a joke, until she showed me one of her expeditionary trainings called "NEEMO" where her sister Nicole lived underwater for 18 days, being filmed 24/7. Talk about reality TV!
Well, Nicole's long awaited trip to space is finally here! On August 25th Nicole Stott will officially launch into orbit and become the first mom to ever live on the International Space Station otherwise known as the ISS!
It will be an amazing journey, as this is Nicole's first mission to space and a day that she has been waiting for since August, 2000, when she first began her Astronaut training. The mission is called "Expedition 20 and 21". On the 13-day flight, they will deliver science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and a treadmill a.k.a. "Colbert", named after comedian Stephen Colbert (which Nicole intends to try out). Also during this expedition, Nicole will have the opportunity to participate in an "EVA" (and we aren't talking about the robot in the movie WALL-e). An EVA is an Extra-Vehicular Activity, otherwise known as a Spacewalk, to continue the assembly of the space station. Nicole will trade places with astronaut Tim Kopra, who has been on the ISS since July. Nicole will live in space for three months until the STS-129 shuttle mission arrives in November.
Nicole told Isle of Man newspapers that one of the most difficult things about the mission was being away from her family for so long. Luckily, technology has improved and they will be able to communicate from afar. She is looking forward to her first view of space and her first step. Meanwhile her family will be watching, waiting and supporting her with their thoughts and prayers here on earth.
Nicole is living proof that no matter what, you can achieve the most amazing dreams if you stay focused and work hard. Make sure you TIVO the launch to show your kids. You never know, they might decide to become astronauts one day too!
Join Nicole's Ground Support Team and go to www.nicoleinspace.com
Press Release: Florida native to live aboard International Space Station
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