Sobering Realization
A sobering reality has accompanied all of Alyssa’s preparation for her own journey to Mars, which has included the training and qualifications she has already accumulated. She is fully aware that in order to fulfill her dream, she will have to make some rather significant concessions along the cycle path.
There are things she needs to give up in her life right now in order to get to where she wants to go and accomplish the goals that she has set for herself, even though the Mars trip is still in the far off future. Because the astronauts will be venturing into uncharted and perhaps dangerous territory on their voyage to Mars, NASA recommends that starting a family be postponed until after the mission has been completed.