Who made space missions: Expedition 34, STS-74, STS-100, SoyusTMA-07M, and Expedition 35? Who made the books: An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, What Going to Space Taught Me about Ingenuity, Determination and Being Prepared for Anything, You Are Here, and many more? Who studied at University of Tennessee Space Institute, Royal Military College of Canada, Royal Roads Military College, and the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School? Well, it is the one and only Chris Hadflied!
On Wednesday, May 20, 2015, the grade 5 and 6s in my school had a video chat with Chris Hadfield. Actually, another school in the YCDSB had the video chat with him but they were able to connect us to the chat with another 50 other schools too. He couldn’t see us but we saw him. I cannot remember all the three questions that he answered from our school but I know that there were many other questions from many other schools.
It is extremely hard to get Chris Hadfield, even any astronaut. It is also a long process to become an astronaut. One out of ten people can become an astronaut. You need to do many things; if all fails, you should have a backup career. Lucky for Chris, he was picked to become an astronaut. I bet he is very thankful for his career.
Being able to talk to Chris Hadfield was a great honor. A lot of questions didn’t just involve space. It involved life things. I remember this one question that a school asked: “Do you think the Maple Leafs will win the playoffs?” To my surprise, Chris actually answered the question. The rest of questions were about space and life. My friend Emma asked, “If you didn’t become an astronaut, what would you be?” I told her in the end that I thought it was a very good question.
Toward the end, Chris was telling us about how ever since he was a boy, he wanted to be an astronaut and that we should follow our dreams. I enjoyed listening and seeing Chris Hadfield. I hope that one Wednesday, you will have an amazing opportunity like I had.
Angela-Acaye.