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Show From science fiction to reality Flying space shuttles can be fun her stay at the U.S. Space Academy. Acad-emy. She bounced high in the air while experiencing the Microgravity Training Chair, which M " : V t?V I 1 n- "I I i 1 By KRIS JOHNSON Staff Writer BOUNTIFUL Becoming an astronaut is more than a science fiction fic-tion fantasy for Sarah Larrabee, who spent eight days at the U.S. Space Academy special astronaut training program in Huntsville, Ala. Larrabee, a tenth grader at Judge Memorial High School, said she has wanted to be an astronaut since she was in elementary school. "I first wanted to be an astronaut in the fifth grade. We had career dress-up day at school and I dressed up as an astronaut' she said. When Larrabee got into junior high, she decided the U.S. Air Force Academy was the way to go because she wanted to fly jets and space shuttles when she grew up. "Even when the space shuttle Challenger blew up, I still wanted to be an astronaut and all my friends thought that would be crazy," she said. "I've always been fascinated with the thought of weightlessness in space. If I was up on the space shuttle, I would like to go on Extra Vehicular Activity because you would be totally free in space, you would have no limits; that would be the ultimate freedom, to be out in space and have the whole universe around you," said Larrabee. The future space explorer got a feel for outer space travel during space science classes such as solar and space plasma physics, space biology, and astrophysics. She proposed pro-posed and designed experiments that were performed inside the Space Academy's Space Shuttle or-biter or-biter and Space Station module mockups, said a U.S. Space Academy Acad-emy spokesman. At nighttime, she slept in the Space Habitat, which is a futuristic dormitory built to simulate aspects of the Space Station. Larrabee has been preparing herself physically, mentally and scholastically for many years to fulfill her dreams of becoming a jet pilot, and working for the NASA space shuttle program. 'Tve been working really hard to get into the Air Force and I keep looking for activities that will qualify qual-ify me, like being involved with the community," she said. The Air Force Academy, which is affiliated with the U.S. Space program, looks for many qualities in a student before they decide whom they will choose. They review the student's grade point average, leadership abilities, involvement in-volvement in sports, and their contributions con-tributions to the communities, said an Air Force spokesperson. Larrabee is a top scholar and an athlete. She was the state champion in gymnastics last year at the Utah Summer Games, winning four gold medals and one silver medal. She also won five first places at a track meet when she was younger. Larrabee serves on the Mayor's Youth Volunteer Council, which responds to the needs of the public. She served as class representative during her freshman and sophomore years, and lettered in student government and gymnastics. She is also a member of the National Honors Society and has maintained a grade point average of 3.8. The ambitious Larrabee said it's the "little things" in life that count, such as recycling or doing something nice things for people. "Every drop makes up the ocean and every inch makes up the mile. The little things do count a lot. So I try to help people and I try to block out prejudices against people too," she said. "If a friend drops a gum wrapper, I'll walk back and pick it up. If I can do my part in the great big universe, then every little thing will help to make it a better place. It's the little efforts you put forth in life that really count," said Larrabee. Lar-rabee. Another one of her goals is to be a good role model for other people to look up to. "I want to let people know that you can reach your dreams and go as far as you want to go; where there is a will there is a way. I think the little things will help get me there," she said. SARAH LARRABEE is similar to the equipment Apollo astronauts used in training for missions mis-sions to the Moon. She spun and twisted in the Five Degrees of Freedom Trainer that was used by Gemini astronauts preparing for early spacewalks. Larrabee was also introduced to |
