underwater laboratories, and various national outdoor leadership courses . It is important to handle annoyances, get along with all kinds of people, have a sense of leadership and team work. A sense of humor always helps. Since the space program today is international, knowing more than one language is an asset.
As an astronaut, Swanson receives many invitations to talk to students. He points out that some students have what it takes to become an astronaut and some don’t. What Swanson has noticed is how differently youngster today experience growing up. He says, “The interaction among the young is in great part through texting and other electronic means with people they already know. Today’s children are highly programmed. Sports are good but they are always supervised by an adult. Youngsters do not get a chance to self-regulate their own activities.”
The next generation of astronauts will experience new discoveries in outer space. Today’s astronauts can measure in greater depth all types of data, including temperature changes, weather predicaments, test how plants grow in microgravity, and how the human body reacts as a whole in outer space. Now that the space program is international, an astronaut learns about diverse cultures. For example, the Italian space station recently invited the American astronauts to explore their caves with a team of international astronauts.
Personal Note: Swanson did not decide to be an astronaut until he was 25 years old. While he was studying for his M.A. in Applied Science at Florida Atlantic University, it occurred to him that he might be of service to NASA. He was attracted by the mental challenge, the new technology, the ultimatum to be in top physical shape, and the sense of adventure. In addition he has since gotten a Doctorate in Computer Science from Texas A&M University. He is a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, the NASA’s Johnson Space Center Certificate of Accommodation, Flight Simulation Engineering Award, and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Edith Lynn Beer is a freelance author/journalist/lecturer. Her articles have been published both here and abroad including in The Sunday New York Times, The Denver Post, Elle, and Berlin Tagesblatt. She gives seminars on writing at Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs. Edith is our ground reporter from Denver.