A Williamsburg local and new inductee to NASA’s astronaut program has her sights set on the stars, but before she can reach outer space she first had to pack her bags for Texas.
Williamsburg’s Zena Cardman will begin training with NASA’s astronaut program in Houston this week. She said she spent her summer preparing for the rigorous two-year program, and much of her time was simply dedicated to the logistics of moving.
“A lot of [the preparation] for all of us is tying up former careers,” Cardman said. “I was leaving a Ph.D. program and I had some loose ends for research to tie up…Some of it is very simple and getting a household moved to Houston, Texas. It’s been an adventure.”
Cardman, 29, was one of 12 people out of more than 18,000 applicants selected for NASA’s 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class in May. According to a NASA press release, Cardman and the 11 others will be trained on the systems of the International Space Station, operating NASA crafts and robots, spacewalking and learning the Russian language.
“I’ve been telling people I’m most excited about learning Russian because I’ve never had the opportunity to learn a foreign language,” Cardman said. “But of course I’m also excited about learning to fly the T-38 jets and the techniques for spacewalking.”
NASA’s newest astronaut recruits will also learn about the administration’s research and aeronautics, as well as leadership and communication skills. Once their training is completed, Cardman and the other astronauts will be responsible for technical duties while they await flight assignments.
“Right now I’m most excited to get through the training period,” she said. “We have so much to learn so it’s hard to focus on what’s after. Speaking for all of us, once we get there we’ll be absolutely thrilled no matter where we’re assigned.”
The training program is sure to be full of challenges for all of its members, but Cardman thinks her biggest struggle will not be mastering jet aircraft or learning advanced robotics.
“I’m most nervous about the swim test we’ll have to do for our training,” Cardman said with a chuckle. “I’m not a terrible swimmer, but it’s definitely not my strength.”
While she has moved to Texas and prepares to ship off to space, Cardman said she has remained grounded in the Historic Triangle.
Cardman was born in Illinois, but the Magruder Elementary and Bruton High School graduate considers Williamsburg home. Her parents Helen and Larry still live here, and she said she has relished the support from the community and her family and friends as she begins her journey.
“Everyone has been incredibly supportive,” Cardman said. “I’m so grateful to them. That’s been true throughout my career…I really wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t supported me.”
“I’m so, so thankful.”
