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Show March 7, j M kwefl-- E - Ki. I8il wrgL&B$S? Page 7 Cross Currents 1997 escj cva 'IT' , SisWOW. Jf I? - S ,.iVgt- f W f CBOiVaRMSfe ? a czscod ' k f 5,1- - t Mtasaiui, y cia o a d d o' ' f ? v aS.iJfuveMV I c I y Sharing the joy Astronaut inspires youngsters By Janet Enge et high on making a ''dream come true. Thats the message astronaut R. Mike Mullane brought to 488 fourth- - and at Aztecs Park Avenue Elementary School. Judging by the roars of approval from the audience, the kids loved it. With a rapid-fir- e delivery, a personality radiating energy, and an engaging grin, Mullane delivered an insiders view of NASAs space program as fascinating as a walk in I fifth-grade- rs space. He fueled his talks w ith the scientific principles of space travel and the true reason for weightlessness (not the lack of grav ity), but his rocket boosters focused on the personal potential of each participant. I am a passionate believer that every child has the potential to Mullane embark on a dream-ques- t, said. How do astronauts go to the bathroom in space? January 3 was Mullanes fourth appearance at Park Elementary, a , biennial occurrence that is a special favor to his friend and fellow space enthusiast, teacher Dana Reed. Mullanes talk is the culmination of a unit on space exploration in Reeds classes. This year, the students built a space capsule cockpit, complete with instrumentation and video enhancements for exhibit in their science fair the first week of 1 February. Selected as one of the first mission specialists in the space shuttle program, Mullane shared with the class the odd quirks of space travel he garnered in 356 hours logged about the space shuttle: the glorious exultation of conquering space, the physical discomforts of weightlessness and space sickness, and the gripping fear that every astronaut faces. He was open and humorous, answering the question everyone wants to know first: How do astronauts go to the bathroom in space? He demonstrated the diaper astronauts wear during takeoff, landing, and space walks, and even showed a picture of himself modeling one, all delightfully disgusting to his audience. We made some big mis- takes, he said, but you dont quit when you make mistakes. from the shutshowed Mullane the spectacular tle, sunsets, the night lights of New York City that look like a giant lava flow from the air, and views of geo- logical fault lines. Today, Mullane is proud to divulge that moment of crying with joy at having his dreams come true on his first mission, but he also readily admits to being a geek and a nerd just an ordinary kid, as he called it. 1 w as not a jock, kids. I wasnt a genius, he said, and he proved his lack of popularity by displaying the single autograph in his high school year book. Mullane left no doubt about the three things he prescribes to make dreams come true: take care of your body, do your best, and stay in school. Before the end of his program, he had the students reciting this mantra in thunderous shouts. This astronaut has the ability to bring the reality of space travel into sharp focus. You have been sitting in the cockpit of the shuttle for four hours, strapped into a steel chair w ith 85 pounds of equipment strapped to you. That includes the long underwear, pressure suit, boots, helmet, gloves, parachute, oxygen, life raft, and survival harness. W'ith slides taken Aztecs Park Avenue Elementary School every two years . (Photo by Janet Enge) - j i j some big mistakes, he said, but you dont quit when you make mis-- , takes. Retired since 1990, Mullane lives in Albuquerque, and travels extensively, taking his message of self- esteem and building dreams on the foundation of education to students and adults across the country, often doing four programs a day. Besides his student program he also presents a corporate teambuilding seminar called Stories from Space. And everywhere, as a retired NASA astronaut, he signs autographs. Long after the programs were over, students and parents were still ' ' coming in for a handshake and an autograph from Mike Mullane. Since printing his novel. Red Sky, and publishing his children's book. Lift Off! An Astronaut" s Dream, Mullanes own dreams are turning g novtoward becoming a elist, he said. Its a new venture, but Mullane embraces for himself the concept he gave the students at Park Avenue: the exciting potential of their ow n lives. WTio is going to soar w ith the stars? he asked the kids. g hands The show of was nearly unanimous. (Janet Enge is a writer who lives in Durango.) best-sellin- high-flyin- nine ... eight ... The shuttle begins a tremendous shaking. T-min- us You and your team, sitting atop four million pounds of fuel. And the countdown begins. nine... eight ... The shuttle begins a tremendous shaking. Its way beyond scared, Mullane said. Facing fear is an astronauts job, and Mullane spoke seriously about the Challenger disaster. We made us for Mike Mullane at Aztec's Park Elementary School, was spirit of the pupils gathered for the former astronaut's show gaze at the The audience ed. Some photographer. (Photo by Janet Enge ) -- |