Alyssa Carson, a 24-year-old from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has devoted her entire life to the pursuit of becoming the first human to set foot on Mars. Inspired at the age of three by a cartoon about Mars, Carson’s dream quickly became her life’s mission. Over the years, she has become one of the most prominent young faces in the space community, known by her NASA callsign “NASA Blueberry.” Her journey has been marked by relentless training, academic achievement, and a deep passion for space exploration.

Carson’s preparation for a Mars mission has been extensive and multifaceted. She attended her first space camp at age seven and went on to complete every NASA space camp offered, including those in Turkey and Canada. By 15, she was the youngest person accepted into the Advanced PoSSUM Space Academy, where she trained in suborbital research and astronautics. Her training also includes earning a pilot’s license at 18, water survival, g-force and microgravity flights, scuba certification, and decompression training—skills vital for surviving the harsh conditions of interplanetary travel.

Currently, Carson is pursuing a PhD in astrobiology, a field directly relevant to the search for life on Mars. She believes that sending humans to Mars is the logical next step in space exploration, as the planet is more hospitable than alternatives like Venus. Carson has frequently spoken about the scientific importance of Mars, emphasizing that human presence will vastly increase our understanding of its potential for life, both past and present. Her academic and practical experiences make her a leading candidate for future missions.

NASA and private companies like SpaceX are targeting the 2030s for crewed Mars missions, and Carson is determined to be part of that historic journey. She has become a role model for aspiring astronauts worldwide, using her platform to inspire others to pursue ambitious goals in science and exploration. Her story demonstrates the dedication and resilience required to chase a dream as audacious as becoming the first person on Mars.