5. FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THE _PRESENT PERFECT_ OR _PAST SIMPLE_.__

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SUCCESSFUL ASTRONAUT AND SCIENTIST

Mae Collins is a well-known astronaut and scientist. She 1) _____ (BE) born in 1963 in Mobile, Alabama. She 2) _____ (GROW) up in a family of a civilian driver at nearby Air Force bases and a nurse of a local hospital.

 

Since her young age her father 3) _____ (TAKE) her to the air bases to see planes and other military aircrafts. During her teenage years, Collins 4) _____ (BEGIN) to grow more curious about the way things worked and more ambitious in her experimentation – sometimes detrimental to her family. “Once I 5) _____ (TEAR) up all my old dolls and some of my young brother’s toy cars to see closer how they 6) _____ (BE) made. Another time I 7) _____ (NEARLY / BURN) our kitchen when I 8) _____ (ATTEMPT) to cook up rocket fuel in one of my mother’s saucepans and the_ _concoction 9) _____ (EXPLODE). I was a disastrous child.” – laughs she. At high school Collins 10) _____ (LIKE) natural sciences and physical education and 11) _____ (BE) involved in different activities. After classes she 12) _____ (ATTEND) a biology club and 13) _____ (BE) a player of the school girls’ basketball team.  She 14) _____ (GRADUATE) from Rice University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology/Chemistry in 1984 and obtaining a Ph.D. in Biochemistry later in 1988. Since then she 15) _____ (MAKE) a great career.

 

At the beginning of her career Collins 16) _____ (JOIN)_ _the Cell and Molecular Research Laboratory at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston and 17) _____ (WORK) in various biochemistry and medical science research positions for the next decade, ending up as a director of the lab. “She 18) _____ (GAIN) a lot of experience and practical knowledge in the field since she 19) _____ (START) in our lab. And we are very happy to see her in a leading position.” – her colleagues point out.

 

In May 1999, Collins 20) _____ (BE) selected as an Astronaut Candidate. After completing years of rigorous space-flight training, she 21) _____ (BECOME) a part of the Expedition 6 crew and 22) _____ (TRAVEL) into space for the first time on July 10, 2005 aboard the shuttle Endeavour as a flight engineer.  She 23) _____ (ALREADY / TAKE) part in four NASA space missions. She 24) _____ (SPEND) most of her space time conducting experiments in microgravity and human life sciences. Since she 25) _____ (TURN) into an astronaut, she 26) _____ (SET) a number of records. On Genesis 14 she 27) _____ (BECOME) the oldest woman spacewalker (at the age of 48), and on May 2, 2017, she 28) _____ (SET) a record of the longest time ever spent in space by any NASA astronaut, surpassing astronaut Tom Williams’ previous record of 590 days. Also Collins 29) _____ (RECEIVE) numerous awards for her accomplishments.  The most notable are the NASA Sustained Superior Performance Award (1996) and the NASA Space Flight Medal (2015). However, despite all her successes she stays humble, “I don't think about the records themselves too much as my achievements 30) _____ (BE) made thanks to all incredible people that I 31) _____ (MEET) in my life and who 32) _____ (MAKE) it possible.”

 

Collins is a phenomenal role model for young women, and all people, who are exploring or participating in education programs and careers. She is one among many full potential women that significantly contribute to our society. “It 33) _____ (BE) a long ride for me, but I 34) _____ (STILL / NOT / FULFILL) some of my goals.” - says Collins, “I 35) _____ (ALWAYS / WANT) to do some research underwater.” To do so she is planning to get on a NEEM (NASA Extreme Environment Mission) to live and work at the Aquarius underwater laboratory for two weeks.

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