CBS Mornings

"I want my generation to be the Mars generation!"

/ CBS News

13-year-old Alyssa Carson aspires to be the first human to step foot on the Red Planet. She hosted a chat on "CBS This Morning's" Facebook page and fielded questions about her Mars quest.

Question: Are you prepared to sacrifice almost everything people consider normal in order to achieve your dream?

Teen determined to be the first on mission to Mars
Alyssa Carson: Yes my dad has talked to me about all the sacrifices and that I wouldn't be able to have a family until I get back. I believe that the benefits we can achieve outweigh the small sacrifices I have to make. There are things here with this mission that are more important and beneficial for the human race then me living the "normal" life.

Question: What first made you want to go to Mars?

Carson: We think it was the kid show Backyardigans. The Backyardigans is a kids TV show where little creatures go in there backyard and imagine an adventure. One episode they went to Mars!

Question: What would you like /need from the general population/schools to assist you in your education?

Carson: I want more kids to dream and inspire to follow math and science because it takes 10s of 1000s of people to send an astronaut to space. I want my generation to be The Mars Generation!

Question: You've been planning your voyage to Mars since age three, Alyssa. Did you have any role models who were also astronauts when you were growing up?

Carson: Sandra Magnus, female astronaut. I met her and talked with her when I was about 9.

Question: Is NASA teaching you what to eat or not to eat ? Or is it too early for that stage?

Carson: It's too early for that.

Question: Alyssa - why do you think science is so important for young people to get involved in?

Carson: Because science is everywhere no matter where you look or what you do and it controls how we live.

Read through the full Q&A:

© 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.