From the Artist…
Singing in space and flying fighter jets like Chris Hadfield. A strong rugby player and combustion scientist like Jenni Sidey. A Karate black belt and physicist like Ronald McNair. These are all astronauts who demonstrate how to pursue things like art and engineering alongside each other, and they are people that I find really inspiring when doing things like writing “Dear Moo.” Within this song, three specific themes went into its creation:
- Stay curious and enjoy the challenge of trying new things
- Everything is astronaut training!
- Feelings of gratitude for the people in my life and the opportunities I have had
Each of these points has its own story, which helped influence the song, and I hope to encourage you to find opportunities that interest you and possibly include a few ideas here.
Song
Name: Dear Moon by Mak <3
Available on most platforms, including:
Try new things
Boarding the Falcon20 for Mission SpaceWalkers Microgravity Parabolic Flight
In my first year at U of A, I was bright-eyed and dead set on interning at the Canadian Space Agency. I excitedly jumped out of my seat when I got an interview. Although I knew with no previous engineering job experience, it was quite unlikely I would get the job. Spoiler alert: I didn’t get it.
After that brief sinking feeling of rejection, I shook it off and asked myself: What can I do next to get to where I want to go? What can I learn from this? I ended up sending a follow-up email asking what I could do within the next year to equip myself with the skills needed for that position.
My interviewer agreed to meet on a Zoom call, and her honest suggestions and encouragement allowed me to shift my focus to improving my technical skills. She became a mentor to me and is a strong woman I have incredible respect for. During that year, I ended up getting a job at Forward Robotics as a mechanical engineer and worked hard while constantly asking my boss if I could learn how to use the CNC machine, how to code, or how to design a PCB board.
Going into that internship as a mechanical intern, I ended it as more of a mechatronics position. I learned to embrace the challenges of setbacks and seek out chances to improve. Apply to that job even if you don’t think you’ll get it. Speak up at a team meeting, even if it is intimidating, and learn from those you look up to. Search for your goals with curiosity and resilience, which is reflected in the song:
“Remember when I wished on stars
The gravity of who we are
Searching for my place”
“Reminding me that true beauty isn't perfect.”
University is the time to try new things. A few opportunities I have had the opportunity to participate in that you may want to check out are:
- SEDS Canada (https://seds.ca/): Want to fly your payload to the edge of space on a stratospheric balloon? Float in microgravity on a parabolic flight? Join a mentorship program to learn from people in positions in the industry, like the CSA. These are only a few projects you can apply for, and there are even volunteer opportunities to help develop your skills.
- Zenith Fellowship: Not only do you get to meet some really cool people you get to call friends, but you also are paired with a company to complete an internship with some incredible Canadian companies and get paired with a mentor from places like NASA and the CSA. This fellowship was founded based on the Brooke Owens Fellowship ( ), and there are many other fellowships you can apply to in various specific fields.
- Co-op internships: If you have the opportunity to intern while in school, reach out to companies and network with people at your student clubs and events. I was able to work at Forward Robotics as a friend of mine from AlbertaSAT previously interned there, Rocket Lab through the Zenith Fellowship, CSA through previously volunteering for the SEDS CAN-SBX competition and applying on their online site, and the National Research Council Aerospace Centre from networking with the amazing staff at the CAN-RGX campaign where Mission SpaceWalker participated.
- Student clubs: Extracurriculars are an excellent way to try new things and grow your portfolio. Attend club fairs, research online, network, and apply! Mission SpaceWalker is more than a club to me — it is more like a crew embarking on exciting adventures like glacial expeditions and microgravity flights. An awesome resource I got to help advise is the Aerospace Resource page; check it out for more ideas!
Everything is Astronaut Training
As mentioned previously, times may sometimes be dark, but you can often reframe it to see the light. “Everything is astronaut training” is a motto that has carried me through many challenges. Too cold outside while walking to your car? It is an Arctic analog! Hard test you have to prepare for? It's training for the astronaut selection aptitude tests! And although it might sound silly, viewing these challenges as training helps you grow.
When I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I was getting beat all the time. But the higher belts with much more skill than me were there to help me become better. I trained almost every day with two classes per day and helped coach the kids' classes. This discipline helped me earn my blue belt!
Blue belt promotion with my amazing coaches from Cambridge BJJ
However, a couple of months later, I had a serious knee injury that took me out for a year. Again, this was an astronaut test against my resilience. It's okay to feel that disappointment but reframe it as motivation. I was that person in the gym on crutches, working out my arms until my legs could handle squats. It was intimidating facing the stares of fully mobile people. However, I focused on my improvement, the encouraging thumbs up from the people at the front desk, and finally was able to walk. And now fully cleared to train again, I am back learning from those who challenge me and am more motivated than ever. Much like the lyrics, dark times will come, but the light in you can overcome it.
“Life's first quarter phase
Some full and bright
Some a waning light
But from darkness we ignite
Crescent smiles glowing bright
So we can start again”
Gratitude
“I see it!” I would exclaim to my Dad as we stargazed and looked for the ISS. I owe a lot of gratitude to my parents, who supported me as a kid when I wanted to be like Hannah Montanna, to dream of singing on the ISS like Chris Hadfield. I am thankful to my friends who helped inspire me to write and release music, the coaches who taught me never to give up and the opportunities I have had to grow.
Throughout my journey, I have met an incredible mentor, amazing friends and so many role models who inspire me every day. This helped inspire “Dear Moon,” and it is a song of gratitude reflecting on those who have helped and continue to help shape my journey:
“Earth is more than a radiant rock its
More than an outstanding orb its
Home to us and those to come its
Nice to know when things don't go to plan its
Got you watching over us”
Those who visit space often talk about the overview effect. It is the feeling you get when you look at the Earth from space, full of awe and wonder. I have been lucky to grow up near the mountains, where camping trips were full of marvelling at wondrous views and curiously gazing at the stars. It is a rush of gratitude to be able to live on this earth, share time with those close to you and experience life. I encourage you not to forget those who have helped you and to give back, whether through hosting outreach events, mentoring or using the knowledge you have been given to innovate further.
Thank you for reading this article and listening to my song. I can’t wait to work together on building the future!
My happy place: The mountains with my family
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiUGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnVhbGJlcnRhLmNhL3lvdWFsYmVydGEvMjAyMy8wOS9ldmVyeXRoaW5nLWlzLWFzdHJvbmF1dC10cmFpbmluZy5odG1s0gEA?oc=5
2023-09-14 15:40:05Z
CBMiUGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnVhbGJlcnRhLmNhL3lvdWFsYmVydGEvMjAyMy8wOS9ldmVyeXRoaW5nLWlzLWFzdHJvbmF1dC10cmFpbmluZy5odG1s0gEA
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