IRELAND/US: A Limerick-based scientist who hopes to become Ireland's first astronaut said yesterday she would not be deterred by the Columbia space shuttle tragedy.
Ms Michelle McKeon (28), is to travel to Florida later this year to take part in a space technology programme at the Kennedy Space Centre, as a result of links developed between FÁS and the US space agency, NASA. Research she has carried out could help facilitate longer-distance space travel and has caught the attention of NASA scientists.
Participation in the Florida programme could ultimately lead to her selection for NASA's astronaut training programme, according to FÁS.
Ms McKeon, a native of Clara in Co Offaly, applied for a place on the training programme five years ago, but was told she could not be considered at that time because she was not a US citizen.
She is determined to try again. "I've been mad about space since I was a child and watched everything from Star Trek to Star Wars," she said.
She "could not believe it" when she heard on Saturday of the loss of the Columbia and its seven crew. "I was upset and I had my parents on the phone last night and I was crying and everything, but you know those people realised their dream and at least that is something.
"Granted, it's frightening, but it doesn't stop me wanting to follow in their footsteps. I'm a very determined person and usually when I set out to do something, it eventually happens."
Ms McKeon first discussed her project, concerning hydroponics - the growing of plants without soil - with NASA representatives at last year's FÁS Opportunities fair at the RDS in Dublin. "I heard there were astronauts attending so I drove up to hear a talk by one of them, Dr Sam Durrance. The security man wasn't going to let me in and I was saying 'you have to let me in, my future depends on it'.
"The minute Sam finished his talk I ran up to him, ahead of all the kids who were there, and told him I had ideas and research they might be interested in."
Dr Durrance referred her to Mr Tony Gannon, who is from Donnycarney in Dublin but is now manager of education at the Kennedy Space Centre. Mr Gannon, who attended the FÁS event, invited Ms McKeon to Florida where she discussed her project with NASA scientists last August. "She told me she would love to be an astronaut and I said I would do everything I could to help," he said yesterday.
Ms McKeon, a lecturer in environmental science at Limerick Institute of Technology, is not divulging all the details of her research at this stage. Her discoveries, however, could advance the use of plants on board space missions to produce food and, at the same time, dispose of human waste.
Mr Gannon, who is also attending this year's FÁS Opportunities exhibition, which closes at the RDS today, said the Columbia tragedy was a "devastating blow".
"People think going to space is routine, but it's a very dangerous business. It's a very risky business." He praised FÁS for having the imagination to link up with NASA in an attempt to rejuvenate interest in science among students.
FÁS has developed a series of initiatives with NASA, the Department of Education and the Centre for Space Education in Florida.
It is envisaged that a dozen second-year under-graduate science, computing and engineering students will take part in a six- to eight-weeks training programme at the Florida Space Institute.
Primary school pupils may also have the chance to visit the Kennedy Space Centre, through a competition offering 10 prizes of two-week trips to Florida.