Edith Kitchel, 11, plays her banjo. (Photo courtesy 8-18 Media)

It was thoroughly incredible, and I had an amazing time. I learned many interesting facts and made memories that I’ll remember forever, so I wrote this article to share them with you.

We arrived at the ski hill for our interview with NASA astronauts Dr. Anna Fisher and Sunita Williams at around 12:15 p.m. Soon after we were offered food and drink, and just after sitting down, Williams and Fisher walked into the room in their blue NASA flight suits. They had countless badges displayed on their uniforms.

Fisher got up and started her presentation. It was mainly about her life, career and mission. These are key facts I learned:

1. Fisher decided she wanted to be an astronaut when she was about 12 years old.

2. As she grew older and realized she probably couldn’t fulfill her dream and become an astronaut, she became a doctor.

3. When Fisher was 28, she applied for NASA’s open call for potential astronauts in 1977 (she was selected in January 1978).

4. Fisher was the first mother in space and went on her mission when her child was only 14 months old!

There were many interesting and unique photos Fisher shared during her presentation. One of my favorites was a picture she took of Earth with the sun rising right behind it. You can see the sun coming up behind her, and our planet looks like it’s glowing!

After this amazing presentation, Williams took the stage, showing a video picturing memories of her extended stay at the International Space Station.

Edith Kitchel, 11, stands with Dr. Anna Fisher during their interviews for 8-18 Media. (Photo courtesy 8-18 Media)

These are the facts that I thought were most interesting:

1. She was the first person to ever run a marathon in space (she completed the Boston Marathon).

2. She brought a copy of the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita and a statue of its deity Ganesha with her on her first mission.

3. Williams made a record for the longest spacewalk (62 hours, 6 minutes).

After they each concluded the presentations, it was open for questions, so I asked, “What was the first thought you had when you launched off and went to space?”

Fisher’s answer was “First thought on orbit, within 30 seconds was yep … I’m going to be sick, so it was a good thing I didn’t eat breakfast that day.

“When I finally got out of the seat and got my first real look at space, it was almost hard to put into words. But I do remember clearly my first words to my husband after I landed, ‘It was all worth it.'”

Williams’ response was quite the opposite. She said, “The count went past 31 seconds, that’s when everything turns to automated, and it went past there and we looked at each other like, ‘Oh my God, oh my God, we’re going, we’re going,’ and then you feel the second rocket boosters before the main engines, and they start, and it just starts to rumble, you are like, there’s no turning back.

“And all three of us, it was like the best rollercoaster ride ever, we were like ‘Whoooooo!’ We were just hooting and hollering because it felt good.

“Mike Cameron (the mission’s captain) said, ‘Hey Suni, come up!’ and one after another, he called us up to the flight deck, and I went flying up. I’m chuckling to myself because there are stairs there, and when we were training, you usually had to walk up the stairs. Now I get to fly up here. This is so cool.

“Then he said, ‘Congratulations, here are your astronaut wings and now get back to work,’ and I went first down the stairs, again laughing, ‘I’m not using the stairs’ … and then … I got sick.

“I was so mad at myself! They told me not to do that, but you can’t help yourself. You are in space, and I mean this is like really cool! But I had tomato soup, so it came up.”

I hope that in a few years, when I’m older, one of my dreams will come true and I will be able to hop on a shuttle and go to the Moon just like people go on a plane and go to Florida for a week.

I think if everyone could experience the perspective that Williams and Fisher did, the world would be a better place.

Edith Kitchel is 11 years old and loves creative writing and art. Their favorite food is gnocchi and pierogies. They want you to know they do not like sports.