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McAllen Native and Astronaut Mike Fossum Shares Thoughts on His First Space Mission, Prepares for Next

Astronauts

Astronauts Mike Fossum (left), a McAllen native and STS-121 Discovery mission specialist, and Mark E. Kelly, pilot, experience weightlessness.

McAllen native Mike Fossum has made his hometown proud. The 1976 McAllen High School graduate was one of the seven NASA astronauts on board the STS-121 Discovery space mission in July 2006.

“A gripping moment I’ll never forget was the clock counting down to launch. Some of the last major checks take place when you get inside 30 seconds‚” Fossum recalls. “I twisted around in my seat to see the ground‚ and when the main engines started at seven seconds before launch and white steam started billowing out‚ I thought‚ ‘Oh boy‚ we’re going somewhere.’ ”

Fossum had trained hundreds of hours in a simulator for launch‚ but the actual experience still surprised him.

“When the rocket boosters kick in‚ an incredible force pushes you off the pad with more violence than I expected. It was amazing to feel that intensity‚” Fossum says. “I had a mirror strapped to my leg‚ and I saw the coast of Florida getting further away and a column of smoke trailing behind us.”

Once in orbit‚ Fossum looked out the window to see the curve of the earth‚ a thin band of atmosphere and black space.

“I said a quick prayer thanking the Lord for getting me there‚” he says. “Then it was time to get to work.”

Fossum performed three space walks on the 13-day mission‚ testing new tools and equipment to repair shuttle damage while in orbit.

“Sliding out of the airlock hatch was life-changing‚” Fossum recalls. “It was unbelievable to go floating‚ weightless‚ and look up to see the space station hanging in space and the earth – a big blue and white ball – moving below you.”

Though Fossum lives in Houston with his wife and children‚ he visits McAllen when he can. In August 2006‚ McAllen welcomed him for Michael Fossum Day‚ which included a parade and a luncheon at the country club.

“The McAllen homecoming blew me away‚” Fossum says. “I couldn’t believe the huge response from all the school kids. All the bands and cheerleaders were in the parade‚ and I got the chance to talk at my home elementary school‚ Jackson Elementary. Next time I hope to get around to more of the schools.”

McAllen’s newest middle school‚ slated to open in fall 2008‚ will be named Michael E. Fossum Middle School in his honor.

“That’s pretty overwhelming‚” Fossum says humbly. “When they told me that‚ I was like‚ ‘Are you guys sure?’ ”

Fossum is training for his second space mission‚ STS-124‚ scheduled for April 2008. He will be the lead space­walker‚ and the crew’s mission is to install a lab to the space station.

“I love the challenge and adventure of being an astronaut. I’m living my dream‚” Fossum says. “I appreciate support of people in the Valley who are so gracious and inviting. I want to convince kids there that there are opportunities they can achieve if they believe in their dream.”

Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by NASA

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