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Lt. Colonel Andrew Morgan has always dreamed of going into space. In July 2019, his dream becomes a reality
Morgan, who has always called New Castle, Lawrence County, because of deep family ties in the community, even though he never lived there, will live and will work on the International Space Station, in orbit. 245 miles above the surface of the Earth, as part of a seven-month mission.
He was selected by NASA to become an astronaut in 2013, with the hope of going into space after spending nearly a decade. Morgan completed a space mission in six years.
"It's a great relief, but also extremely exciting," Morgan said to go into space. "When my class was selected five years ago, we were told that it could be eight to ten years before we went into space. I'll have flown in space in six years, exceeding expectations. Flying earlier is better than flying later. "
Morgan is scheduled to launch on Soyuz 59S and will serve as flight engineer for shipments 60 and 61.
He was humiliated upon learning that he would represent his country in the US.
"However, I am in space, I do it as a real honor," said Morgan. "NASA chose us to do this on behalf of the country and the planet. ISS is an international effort. This is the most magnificent example of international cooperation. "
Experimental Life
Morgan knows the nature of the experiments he will be taking on board the space station, and his medical history fits perfectly into some of the projects." 19659010] "I do not know exactly, but I know in general, "said Morgan." There are always experiences on board. It is a national laboratory that constantly runs all kinds of scientific experiments – physics and biomedical make up the largest proportion.
"Biomedical science I can speak more specifically because of my medical history," he said. "We are the subjects of experiments, and we are interested in how plants and animals react to microgravity over a long period of time.We want to explore the space and we need to learn more about how our body reacts to microgravity. "
Space Training
Although Morgan never stops training for missions, he works to perfect the skills that will be vital." "There is very little training for which I have no basis during my initial training, "said Morgan." Our basic qualifications, we study the Russian language as English and Russian are the most spoken on the International Space Station. We are doing robotics training as we are going to work to capture business vehicles, support outings in space, which is another important skill that I will continue to perfect. "
Although all the training requires a lot of concentration, the exits in the space are very dangerous and a very important work that we do because of repairs that can only be done by astronauts", said Morgan: "We study the space station systems and how to react in case of emergency."
"I learn to live in space, to do the same thing. exercise, to maintain a supply of food and to occupy passengers. "" There are many things we must remember. "
First step towards a new frontier
Appearance The most exciting thing about being onboard the International Space Station for Morgan is this first spacewalk
.The most important moment is when we go out, especially this first time, "Morgan said. . "When I come out of the airlock and see the Earth below me, it's going to be breathtaking." 19659002 "I think of everything I will do in space, which will be the most demanding, physically and mentally," he said. "There are several outings in the space provided, I can do a lot of them, I am actively training with one of my teammates who will be with me, who is an experienced Italian astronaut."
On board of the International Space Station, the gravity is much lower than that of the Earth. NASA has a unique way for astronauts to train for exits in space.
"One of the main ways to train for outings in the space, we have a very large indoor pool 40 feet deep. "It's a neutral buoyancy lab with mock-ups of the International Space Station."
"We put on the suit, we pressurize it, and it creates the illusion of microgravity," he said. "We are supported by a team of divers who help take care of the tasks to make them as real as possible and keep us safe."
Expectations
Spaceflight is an aspect of life that few experience .
"I am looking forward to a unique seven-month experience with great teammates where we have been training together, dependent on each other and depend on our lives.", Says Morgan, [19659002] But there is an opportunity that Morgan will not let go.
"There is a window looking down on the Earth, and we make an orbit every hour and a half, and I'm looking forward to to be able to look at the whole planet, "he said." I'm really looking forward to doing this outing in space. I've always enjoyed a challenge, and it's one of the biggest ones I have ever faced.
Social Experience
While Morgan is in the space, he hopes that he brings a large audience from western Pennsylvania to social networks. Twitter, where it has become commonplace that astronauts share images of the Earth from their roost perched high in the atmosphere.
"I'm waiting to share some of my images and thoughts on social media," Morgan said. "I would really like to have a follow up of western Pennsylvania and arouse interest in this part of the country." 19659002 "" What is unique is that I will be launching on a Russian vehicle and there is a good chance we can see some of the first test flights of the upcoming US SpaceX and CST vehicles. Boeing Starliner, "he said. "Both could make visits to the International Space Station, which will be quite historic."
"These flights will be among the first missions to be launched from American soil since the space shuttle was retired in 2011"
Family Ties
Morgan is the son of Dr. Richard and Janice Morgan, who live in Neshannock Township and are graduates of Neshannock High School. The couple returned to New Castle after Richard served 24 years in the army.
"When my dad was in the air force, New Castle was home," Morgan said. "There is where I went to visit my grandparents, I have four children to me, New Castle is their home, they come home this summer to visit my parents." have always thought of New Castle as home.
"New Castle is special for us," Morgan said. "My kids will be here this summer. I have never lived there, I have never been to school, but it is at home. "
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