2019 UNITED SPACE SCHOOL STUDENT
MEET CAMERON WILSON
Our selection committee completed interviews for 2019 and we are pleased to announce our Western Canadian delegate. We will let him introduce himself to you in his own words:
Hello! My name is Cameron Wilson. I am currently a 16 year old Grade 11 student at Crescent Heights High School in Calgary, Alberta. For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in space and flying. I knew from the age of three years old that I wanted to be an astronaut when I was older. Most of the first books I ever read were about the universe, rockets, and our history in space. My dad, who is a pilot for Westjet, always made sure to bring me back something from Kennedy Space Centre whenever he would fly to Orlando, and always made sure I had as much exposure to aviation and aerospace as possible. He instilled in me at an early age that “every day is another day of astronaut school” on a journey such as this. When I was 12 years old, I joined 952 ‘Westjet’ Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. Here, I learned a lot about aviation and aerospace. We have classes on aviation and aerospace, and did aviation and aerospace related activities, such as bottle rockets. I also enjoy meeting people who have similar interests to me.
Currently, I enjoy building rockets. My latest rocket has been entirely designed and fabricated by myself, using my 3D printer, and will be capable of reaching a thousand feet using the largest engine it can accommodate. I am also currently working towards my Private Pilots Licence, having completed my first solo a couple of months ago, and my first solo cross country about a week ago. In cadets, I am currently a Flight Sergeant, and I am now responsible for teaching close to 80 young people with an interest in aviation and aerospace about those subjects every week. I have also started an “aerospace club” at my squadron, which is an aerospace focused optional activity, where I teach young cadets about more in-depth aerospace concepts, as well as build small model rockets, and run astronomy nights.
When I first heard about the United Space School, it seemed too good to be true. Getting to spend two weeks in Houston, with people from all over the world who have similar interests to me, learning from aerospace industry experts, and designing a mission to Mars sounded like an amazing, once in a lifetime experience. I applied, and was selected for an interview. On the day I was doing my first solo cross country, I received the news telling me I was selected as the 2019 Western Canada FISE: United Space School delegate! It was one of the best days of my life. Looking forward, I am very excited to start working on the preliminary assignments from FISE. I am counting the days until the start of the course this summer. I would like to extend thanks to the Hangar Flight Museum and FISE for sponsoring me and giving me this opportunity to attend this life changing program. This program will give me an unparalleled experience that will help me achieve my goals in life, and give me a head-start in the aerospace industry. The sky will no longer be the limit for me!
We look forward to hearing more from Cameron after his two week experience in Houston this summer!