INSPIRE to Mars!

Later this week, a special LiveChat will take place that will link the INSPIRE Online Learning Community to a team of Mars explorers. Well, not on the planet Mars, that would have too long a time delay between radio transmissions. The Mars I'm referring to is the location of the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah. And the explorers are a team of Georgia Tech students who are part of Crew 115 at the station. Among the crew are three INSPIRE alumni and they want to share their experience with students of the OLC. Find out about these alumni below, then head over to the Discussion Board to sign up for this week's LiveChat!

Christine Redmond

Hi my name is Christine Redmond. I am currently a Sophomore at Georgia Tech and a 2nd year crew member at the Mars Desert Research Station. I am also an INSPIRE alum! I joined INSPIRE when I was a junior in high school and participated in the OLC for two years. I also spent two summers at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD while I was in high school. INSPIRE has made a huge impact on my education and career path. I have always loved NASA but having the opportunity to participate in NASA chats and activities with students who shared my interest really amplified my passion and excitement for NASA. I often describe NASA as my "sports team" because that seems to be the best way to express my enthusiasm and following for NASA and its missions. I have made friends from all across the country through INSPIRE. I fully expect to be working with many of these friends on the next generation of space missions some day in the near future. It is all really exciting and I am so thankful for the learning opportunities opened to me through INSPIRE.

Jordan Bell

Hello, my name is Jordan Bell. I am currently a second year Mechanical Engineering major at Georgia Tech. This is my second year on the Georgia Tech Mars Desert Research Station Crew. I participated in INSPIRE in high school and was a member of the online community for two years. This culminated in an internship at the Langley Research Center in Norfolk, Virginia. INSPIRE has helped me realize my passion for STEM and especially space exploration. Through ISNPIRE I have met many incredible people and made lasting friendships which have helped me after in college. In fact, after introducing myself to a girl in one of my classes we realized we were both INSPIRE alumna. I plan to continue pursuing a career in the field of space exploration and cannot wait to get to know the new INSPIRE community.

Shelby Bottoms

Hi, my name is Shelby Bottoms, and I am a freshman at Georgia Tech studying Aerospace Engineering. I’m excited to be a new member of the Mars Desert Research Team. I participated in the INSPIRE OLC for two years, and had the amazing opportunity to have a residential internship at Johnson Space Center the summer after my junior year of high school. Having wanted to work for NASA ever since age 7, INSPIRE helped my dreams come true. OLC helped further my interest in all things space, and the internship solidified my passions and my desire to work in the space industry. It was fantastic to have a place where I could share my enthusiasm for NASA and the space industry. My internship gave me confidence, eagerness, and priceless lessons from the working world, as well as friendships that have continued past the conclusion of the experience. Thank you INSPIRE!