The astronaut who calls New Castle, Pa., Goes to the space station in 2019



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Lt. Colonel Andrew Morgan has always dreamed of going into space. In July 2019, his dream comes true

Morgan, who has always called New Castle, Lawrence County, because of deep family ties, though he never lived there, will live and will work at the International Space Station, He was selected by NASA to become an astronaut in 2013, hoping to go into space after spending nearly a decade at s & rsquo; s & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; # 39; driving. 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 expected to be launched on Soyuz 59S in the summer of 2019 and will serve as a flight engineer for shipments 60 and 61.

He was humiliated upon learning that he would be representative his country in space.

"However, I am in the 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 involved in on 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 is constantly transforming all types of scientific experiments – physics and biomedical make up the largest proportion.

"Biomedical science I can speak more specifically because of my medical history. We are the subjects of the experiments, and we are interested in how plants and animals react to microgravity over a long period of time. We want to explore 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 do not have a foundation during my initial training," Morgan said. "Our basic qualifications, we study the Russian language as English and Russian are the most spoken languages ​​on the International Space Station.We do training in robotics as we will work to capture visiting vehicles, support of outings in space, which is another important skill that I will continue to perfect. "

Although all training requires a high concentration. Spacewalks are very dangerous and a very important job we do because of repairs that can only be done by astronauts, "Morgan said. "We are studying space station systems and how to react in case of emergency."

"I am learning to live in space, to exercise, to maintain a supply of food and to occupy passengers ". "There are many things we need to remember."

First step towards a new frontier

The most exciting aspect of being aboard the International Space Station for Morgan is this first exit in space

. The most important moment is when we go out, especially this first time, "Morgan said." When I get out of the airlock and see the Earth below me, it's going to be breathtaking. " all the things I will do in space, which will be the most demanding, physically and mentally.Several spacewalks are planned.I can do several.I'm actively coaching with one of my teammates who will be with me, who is an experienced Italian astronaut. "

On board 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.We are supported by a team of divers who help to make the tasks as real as possible and to us. keep it safe. "

Expectations

Spaceflight is an inexperienced part of life." I look forward to a unique seven-month experience with great teammates, where we trained together One and the other and depend on our lives, Morgan says:

But there is an opportunity that Morgan will not let go.

"There is a window looking down on Earth, and we make an orbit every hour and a half, and I can not wait to see the whole planet," Morgan said. "I'm really looking forward to making this outing in space.I have always relished a challenge, and it's one of the biggest ones I've ever had before." faces. "

Social Experience

While Morgan is in space, he hopes that he brings a large audience from western Pennsylvania to social networks. where it has become commonplace for astronauts to share images of the Earth from their roost perched high in the atmosphere

"I am waiting to share some of my images and thoughts on social media", said Morgan. "I would really like to have a follow up of the west of Pennsylvania and arouse interest in this part of the country." 19659002 "" What is unique is that I'm going to launch 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 S vehicles Boeing's Tarliner, 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 US soil since the Space Shuttle was withdrawn 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. "

He is the grandson of Warren Morgan and Jeremiah Maher, who also served their country. In fact, Andrew Morgan is the first doctor in the army to be chosen as an astronaut. His brother Ben served in the US Coast Guard.

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