Bernard Harris...Sam Houston Graduate...What's He Doing Now?
First African-American man to walk in space wants others to follow in his footsteps
DREAM JOB: Dr Harris
AS A teenager, Dr Bernard Harris used to spend many afternoons watching space programmes on television. Inspired by scenes showing people boldly going where no one has gone before, Harris vowed he would one day join them.
Years later, Harris followed his dream - making history when he became the first African-American man to set foot in space.
"I always had a desire to travel to space," said 54-year-old Harris, from Houston, Texas. "I started off working for NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration] in 1986 as a flight surgeon and researcher prior to becoming an astronaut."
In a lengthy career, Harris has had the chance to do what millions of people dream of – travel into space, which he has done two times.
“My first mission was in 1993 with the European Space Agency in Germany. The space lab mission consisted of a number of different experiences, which consisted of 11 days. We did a number of different experiences. There were around 91 different types of research.
“My second flight was in 1995 and I was on the first shuttle to go to the Russian space station, which is when I became known for the famous space walk. I was the first African-American to walk in space.
Harris, who worked as a medical officer, easily reels off facts that would surprise many. For example, the journey to space is a lot quicker than it takes most people to get to work.
“It took eight-and-a-half minutes; we were orbiting the earth within minutes because we travel at a speed of 70,500 miles per hour.”
He said a space suit is one of the most precious pieces of equipment an astronaut can have. “Space suits are necessary, the suit protects us from the environment, which is sometimes extremely hot, or on the diverse, extremely cold,” Harris explained.
While he would not change his experiences for the world, Harris told The Voice: “Every time we climb on board and blast off to space inside the vehicle, we fear for our life. We saw the disaster that happened with Challenger on the way into space and what happened with Columbia space shuttle on the way back from space. We travelled to orbiting platforms like the international space station.”
Space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds into its flight in January 1986, killing all on board. There were also no survivors when the shuttle Columbia disintegrated while re-entering the earth’s atmosphere on February 1, 2003 after completing a mission.
Despite the risks, Harris said he has been left with a wealth of experiences he will always treasure, among them learning how to live in space.
“My most memorable moment was when I did my space walk in a suit which weighs 350 pounds. Of course, it didn’t weigh that in space; it’s very comfy. I had a view which many would love to see. We saw things like storms, and cities during the night.
“In space, we make our own water by taking tanks of cryogenic hydrogen and cryogenic oxygen, which means that it’s extremely cold, so we can cram a lot of molecules in small spaces, and then we run the two atoms through a fuel cell where we reduce electricity, and the by product is water, H20.
“We take wipe downs and have shampoo to wash our hair (but) we have to be careful with water. It’s not like earth were we can have baths and showers. We wouldn’t want it to get into our equipment.
“We (also) have exercise equipment because this will help keep us in shape and help prevent the loss of bone and muscle. There are a number of other things we need to develop counter measures for.”
In the final frontier, Harris’ job as a medical officer has its challenges. “When the human body goes into space it can be challenging because there are issues called space adaptation syndrome,” Harris explained. There are “colds, sore muscles, just like you would see patients here on Earth, except that my patients float so you have to hold them down before you examine them.”
He urges everyone to have an interest in what is being done in space because it’s the future for mankind.
“The challenge of getting there allows us to evolve to better technology. The reason why we’re doing research in space, especially on humans, is to ensure that we can survive.”
He said that in years to come people will be migrating to or holidaying in space.
“Currently we have a number of private companies that are now involved in launching vehicles into space, which means that in 15 years’ time we’ll all have access into space. They see the promise of the future. There will be privatisation and from that commercialisation will occur. Space will evolve… We’ll soon be travelling to space as frequently as we travel to different countries around the world.”
These days, recently retired Harris is focused on cultivating a younger generation of achievers by working with students in Houston.
“I’m retiring now because I think it’s important to move aside and allow others to have a chance. I’m also doing other things. I’m working within my community to help reduce crime,” said Harris, who was recently given the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ (FBI) Director's Community Leadership award for his community work.
He urges black youngsters to think about space-related careers. “If you want an aspiring career that will bring you success and achievement try being an astronaut. We need more black astronauts for we are under-represented. Our kids need to focus on science, technology and mathematics. It’s important because the majority of the jobs now and in the future require these fields.”
He added: “…They often want to aspire to be athletes or rappers but the best thing to enable one to take care of their family and themselves is education.”
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