In the light of the negative press that has plagued NASA lately, Barbara Morgan may be just what the astronaut program needs. How she reached this point speaks to her determination:

“CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) — When former schoolteacher Barbara Morgan leaves Earth on a space shuttle this week, she hopes her students back in Idaho learn a lesson from her 22-year wait to get into orbit: perseverance and patience.”

link: After 22-year wait, teacher ready for space trip

link: Preflight Interview: Barbara Morgan

In 1979, the author Tom Wolfe coined the term “the right stuff”. It applies well to Ms Morgan.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]barbara morgan, astronaut, nasa, teacher, space shuttle[/tags]