Kaitlyn Gibson

By Alex McConnach

A Bragg Creek resident is about to join an elite group of Canadians.

Like the Canadarm and the Lunar Module, Kaitlyn Gibson aspires to make a substantial contribution to the space exploration community.

Gibson, 16, was recently accepted into the United Space School in Houston, Texas, running July 26 to Aug. 8.

She is Canada’s western representative in a camp hosting students from 25 countries.

The campers’ ultimate goal is to design a simulated mission to Mars in the two weeks they will spend together.

As well, the students will be given the chance to work with astronauts from NASA and visit the Kennedy Space Center.

Gibson is excited to be learning during the eight hours of work a day, but  is also looking forward to the life experience.

“I’m definitely looking forward to working with astronauts, but I’ll love seeing what it’s like to live with a girl from France,” she said.

Since being accepted, Gibson has become friends with some of her fellow future astronauts on Facebook.

To get into the school, Gibson had to submit an essay, cover letter, and resume. When she got the call asking for an interview, Gibson was in Hawaii on vacation and chatted with camp officials over Skype.

Not only is she a talented at physics, Gibson writes her own guitar music and competes on the Alberta Ski Team — and she expects to
succeed.

“I have three dreams: astronaut, Olympic skier, and rock star,” she said.

“I don’t have many doubts about it.”

Skiing has taken Gibson around the world with international competition and training in Europe, South America, and the United States.

Gibson is flying to New Zealand right after Space School to compete for the Alberta Ski Team.

She also plays the piano and saxophone, and intends to pursue an aviator’s license whenever she can find the time.

Though Gibson is talented, she acknowledges that her parents’ support has played a huge role.

“My parents are active in school and made huge sacrifices for my skiing,” she said.

Gibson’s parents have placed her in Calgary’s National Sports School and she gets up at 5 a.m. every morning for training.

For Gibson, her parents are the inspiration to reach for the sky.

“I don’t think my Dad ever got good grades in school, but he’s a great leader,” she said.

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