Introduction to Sara García Alonso and Her Relevance
Sara García Alonso, the first Spanish astronaut from the European Space Agency (ESA), recently participated in the ‘Leer conCiencia’ event at the Universitat Politècnica de València. During this gathering, she engaged with children and teenagers, addressing topics such as space tourism.
García Alonso’s Stance on Space Tourism vs. Scientific Missions
García Alonso emphasized the importance of prioritizing professional missions over leisurely space tourism. She argued that while increased space travel, including tourism, contributes to our understanding of the technology, professional missions with a clearer purpose should take precedence.
“With more space flights, including tourism, we learn more about this technology, which is beneficial in some way,” she stated. “However, I believe professional missions with a purpose beyond mere tourism should be prioritized.”
Event Participation and Audience Engagement
Over 400 attendees participated in the event, with a significant number of children and teenagers present. They took advantage of a local school day off to listen to García Alonso and even ask her questions.
García Alonso shared insights from her life, including personal experiences like bullying and the importance of family support. She discussed her book ‘Órbitas’ and highlighted values such as commitment, discipline, and continuous learning.
“It’s crucial to let children grow, explore, and dream,” she explained. “My parents allowed me to pursue my passion for space. As a child, you can explore, enjoy, and learn without deciding on a career path later in life.”
Personal Experiences and Current Space Era
During the talk, García Alonso discussed personal experiences like dealing with bullying and the significance of sharing such struggles with friends, educators, and family.
She also reflected on memorable moments in her career, such as receiving the call from ESA’s director informing her of her selection as one of the agency’s astronauts. “It was an incredible mix of disbelief and pride,” she recounted.
García Alonso explained the current era of space exploration, marked by private companies working alongside national space agencies to democratize access to space.
Book Signing and Background
Following the discussion, García Alonso signed her book for approximately 200 people who approached her for a personalized dedication.
Born in León in 1989, García Alonso is a molecular biologist at the National Cancer Research Center. She was chosen from among 23,000 applicants to join the ESA astronaut corps. In October 2024, she began her three-program reserve astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Sara García Alonso’s profession? She is a molecular biologist working at the National Cancer Research Center.
- How was Sara García Alonso selected as an astronaut? She was chosen from among 23,000 applicants by the European Space Agency (ESA).
- What is García Alonso’s stance on space tourism? She advocates prioritizing professional missions with a clearer purpose over leisurely space tourism.
- What personal experiences did García Alonso share during the event? She discussed dealing with bullying and the importance of family support in her life.
- What is the current state of space exploration? We are experiencing a new era with private companies collaborating with national space agencies to make space more accessible.
