Abigail Harrison is only 15 years old, but she’s already an astronaut-in-training and may become the first astronaut to step on Mars. Her potential rise is matched by a bold role in an educational collaboration announced on April 24. In a notable partnership with Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano, she will help spearhead a massive social media based learning project while Parmitano collects data aboard the International Space Station. Abby will act as his Earth liaison, translating complex space science into accessible lessons for students, teachers, and families on our planet.
Even as a sophomore, Abby balances regular coursework with the demanding life of an astronaut-in-training. Her passion for space traces back to childhood adventures in Minnesota, where clear night skies sparked countless hours of stargazing and questions about the universe. Since those early nights, she has kept a steady focus, pursuing opportunities to learn, train, and share what she discovers with others.
The collaborative project underscores a new model of space outreach. Parmitano’s observations on orbit are paired with Abby’s outreach efforts, making space science tangible for classrooms and online audiences alike. Her Earth-centric role ensures messages, experiments, and discoveries reach people far beyond the confines of a single spacecraft, turning the ISS mission into a living classroom.
“I think its very likely that I will be the first astronaut to go to Mars,” Abby stated. “I think Ill have to work really hard at it and that a lot of things will have to line up correctly for it to happen but that like I said, if you work hard at something, it can happen.”
Followers can keep up with Abby’s adventures by checking her blog, Astronaut Abby, which offers updates on training, science education, and the continuing journey toward her Mars goal.