Aug
5
A Charlie Bolden "Wow" Moment
Kate Arkless Gray and Charles Bolden (Photo: M. Mazzanti)
This afternoon something very strange happened. I received a tweet from @katrobinson that said “@SpaceKate Administrator Bolden is talking about you! #NASATweetup”.
My instant response? “ARE YOU SERIOUS?”
Apparently she was, as this tweet was rapidly followed by several others from people who were also at the Juno TweetUp.
Whoah! The Head. Of NASA. Was talking. About ME! Have you any idea how totally and utterly improbable that is? How completely unthinkable it would have been just a year ago? How mad it is that a former astronaut, the administrator of the world’s most iconicly famous space agency , would be talking about me, a girl who grew up (and still lives) in the East end of London? If you even jokingly suggested it a year ago I would have laughed and cried “impossible”.
The past year has been an unbelievably special adventure. I’ve made friends with astronauts, mission controllers, scientists, engineers, and shuttle programme workers who’ve shown me the real NASA. The human, real, hard-working, passionate, family that is NASA. I’ve seen two shuttles launch and land and been bear-hugged by the boss. I’ve watched SpaceX launch their dragon capsule into orbit. Flown the shuttle simulator. Been awestruck by the sheer scale of the VAB. Waved at the ISS to someone I’ve eaten dinner with, and then mourned for him when his mother died and he was still in orbit. I’ve learned and I’ve shared. I’ve chatted at length about space at airports and given my NASA swag to excited young children. I convinced someone to fly transatlantic to see Discovery (finally) launch. I even got the cynics in my office watching the final shuttle launch when I wasn’t there to demand they did so in person.
There are too many highlights; too many moments I’ve needed someone to pinch me. Today is one of those days. Today the head of NASA used me as an example of being passionate about the space programme. I cannot quite explain what that means to me. It’s been such an honour to do the things I’ve done and I just hope that my thrill and excitement and attempts to bring people along the journey have shown that I realise how lucky I am.
Today the head of NASA talked about me. I guess I must have done something right.
(When my blog was lost – April 2012 – I feared I may have lost the most precious comment on this whole blog – from Charlie Bolden himself. Thankfully some clever internet caching means I can paste the comments below – not perfect, but better than being lost forever)
12 Responses to “A Charlie Bolden wow moment”
Danny Skarkasays:
August 6, 2011 at 6:19 amReplyOutstandingCharlie Bsays:
August 6, 2011 at 2:22 pmReplyYou’re a real champion, Kate! We could really use more Ambassadors such as you. Best wishes in the months and years ahead!Flux says:
August 6, 2011 at 2:38 pmReplyHizell 2 the yeah! Congrats sweetie!Del says:
August 6, 2011 at 4:59 pmReplyThat is just mind-blowingly awesome.
You are one of the most amazing and inspiring people I have ever met and I am so proud to say you’re my friend.Joe Williamssays:
August 6, 2011 at 7:18 pmReplyCongratulations, Kate! You are a fantastic ambassador for NASA and space exploration.Merthyrboysays:
August 6, 2011 at 10:00 pmReplyVery impressive! But you can only do 2 pints. That needs some practiceMike Tomeisays:
August 8, 2011 at 2:46 pmReplyI was there when he made the comment, and it was wonderful to hear him talking about you. It just shows that he’s not an out of touch “higher up”, and it shows that you’re doing a great job pursuing your passion about space exploration. Your Twitter and blog enthusiasm made me apply for the Juno Tweetup, which turned out to be a once in a lifetime experience for me. Thanks!Raymondsays:
August 13, 2011 at 7:26 pmReplyCongrat’s! At this pace, you’ll be tweeting us from space in no time!@cpm5280says:
August 21, 2011 at 6:40 amReplyCongrats, Kate!And Charlie B., your social media team is doing a great job of making more ambassadors all the time, as those of us who have been to a Terrell can attest.
Kate says:
August 21, 2011 at 11:15 amReplyDo you mean ‘tweet-ups’ by ‘Terrell’?Thanks!
@cpm5280says:
August 21, 2011 at 8:44 pmReplyyes! damn autocorrect! that was typed on an ipad… “Tweetups”! (#sts134, in my case…)
