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As our web page has shown, we are here to give some inspiration to our border young
people by promoting science and technology on the border through interactive multimedia
opportunities with the aid of the NASA Astronaut program and related resource
learning programs.
One way that Astro Chat Interactive is doing this is by interviewing one of our very own
United States Astronauts. In this segment we have been fortunate enough
to interview Charles O. Hobaugh!! The full written interview is following...
We are in El Paso, Texas at the NASA hangar with one of our United States
Astronauts, Charles Hobaugh {Call Sign (*Nickname that they give pilots*): Scorch },
one of the newest of the astronaut breed, part of the graduating 1998 class.
Thank you Scorch for talking to the young people today. Charlie, first of all
congratulations on becoming one of the world's elite!
Q: Charlie I do know that you did just graduate from an Astronaut candidate to
astronaut - a process that takes two years; what has it been like for
you since you got selected as an Astronaut candidate?
A: It has been a tremendous honor, yet at the same time, an extremely
humbling experience. It was very exciting to get selected and I felt
on top of the world. The training flow we were thrown into was
extremely well orchestrated and professionally done. The humbling part
was getting to work alongside the current astronauts. They have all
accomplished incredible things, yet are the most down to earth bunch I
have ever worked with.
Q: Was it a lot of work getting selected as an astronaut; what interview
process did you have to go through, and what background preparation did
you have to go through before even submitting your application to NASA?
A: The hardest part about becoming an astronaut is building up the
pre-requisite qualifications to apply. In my case, my education in
Aerospace Engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy was extremely important
in getting accepted to Test Pilot School (required training for every
selected pilot astronaut to date) and in satisfying the technical
education that NASA requires. Coupled with a very enjoyable military
flying career, this paved my way to satisfying the minimum qualifications
required for application. The interview was unlike any other selection
process that I have ever heard of. It is one week long interview that
is mostly medical and psychological exams, intermixed with tours of
the facilities and informal discussions with current astronauts. The
tours and discussions are necessary to introduce the applicant to what
they are getting themselves into, should they be selected (not to
mention that it is pretty cool stuff)!
Q: Scorch, I know that you are a layed back kind of guy, but you are serious
about your career, and becoming an astronaut has been a dream and goal
of yours for a long time; when you decided to become an astronaut, how important would say your
math and science classes were to you in that career goal?
A: Extremely important. For my career path through aviation, Test
Pilot School and Test and Evaluation work, I would not have even gotten
my foot in the door if it were not for a strong math and science
background. The Shuttle is a very complicated machine, and it essentially
is a test vehicle on every mission it is used for. To understand the
complex systems and how to fly the vehicle, a sound math and science
background is crucial.
Q: Finally Charlie, there are many children out there especially on the
border that possibly think that becoming an astronaut is out of their reach;
what advice, suggestions, and most importantly-encouragement can you give
them to hold on to? *This question will be available as a video clip at
a later date*
A: The single most important thing to do, is something that you enjoy.
I am convinced that the only way to do well, is by doing something
that interests you. If becoming an astronaut is something that is your
dream, then science and math are two areas that are important interests.
In the same breath, if these are areas that are never fun for you,
then it is better to concentrate your major (for college) in a field
that is what you enjoy. How well you do in college will stick with you
for the rest of your life, and school prior to college is the foundation
from which you will grow. I also feel that sports/scouts or any
organization that builds team work and leadership is extremely important.
NASA wants leaders for the future. Team activities help to build the
strong interpersonal relations that are necessary. No matter what you
choose, make sure it is something you like, always put out 110%, and
never sell your abilities short.
Once again, thank you Charlie for sharing your experiences with our border
young people and giving them some advice on how to become just like you
one day.
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