17-Year-Old Is Training To Be The First Person To Mars

To be truly happy in life, you should dedicate yourself to a passion project beneficial to more than just yourself. Some aim to bring spiritual enlightenment to loved ones through their religion, and others aim to improve their communities. But one girl from Louisiana has ambitions that might just benefit everyone — yep, everyone — on planet Earth.

At three years old, a little girl watched a silly kid’s cartoon that inspired her to think beyond the world she lived in. From that moment on, she pursued a new life’s passion with admirable and unbelievable intensity, aiming, in the end, to leave a lasting impact on all of humankind despite the serious risks.

Fellow Martian

In some ways, 17-year-old Alyssa Carson from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was just like any teenager. She played soccer with her friends and chess with her dad. But even she wouldn't go so far as to say she's a regular teen.

Above And Beyond

While kids her age fill out college applications or worry about their lives after high school, Alyssa had her eyes on another kind of application — one with a chance to change not just her life, but the world itself.

Fast Track To Space

The second she turns 18 in 2019, Alyssa plans on filling out the application for NASA's astronaut training program. Her hope isn't to study on the International Space Station or leap on the moon like Neil Armstrong. Her ambitions go even further.

Extreme Dedication

If everything goes according to Alyssa's plan, she'll be the first human being ever to step foot on Mars! And this isn't some silly teenage dream: her dedication to this goal makes even the most committed workaholics' head spin.