Mission Title: Environmental, Electrical, Communications Officer

Harper Gande was born in Taegu, South Korea, and came to live in the United States when she was a baby.

Her hobbies are playing cello, playing piano, singing in her local church choir, and swimming at the Y.M.C.A. She loves horses and dogs (her favorite breed of dog is golden retriever). She likes to ride her bike up and down the street in the summertime. Harper also likes to eat pasta, macaroni and cheese, and Chinese food. She is in the Shark swimming class (the highest class in the swimming program at the local Y). Science is also an interest of hers, and she loves looking at the stars, identifying constellations, and imagining what it would be like to be up in space.

The person Harper admires most is her father, because he is very knowledgeable about science and often helps her understand complicated concepts. And he is also fun!

Harper is thrilled to be in the Young Astronauts Program. Her brother, Sam, was in the Janus 50 Mission and his position was Commander of the Shuttle. He thought it was a great learning experience, and that it teaches the fundamentals of teamwork and cooperation. Harper has wanted to be in the mission since coming to Columbus Magnet School in 1st grade. It looked fun and exciting to have everyone look up to the astronauts and say, “Wow! I want to be them.” She wants to have that feeling this year.

Harper wants to contribute to the mission by being a team player and helping out wherever necessary, in order to achieve a successful landing on the Moon and a safe return to Earth. She would also like to understand the heating and cooling cycle on the Moon, and its effect on the equipment left behind on previous Moon landings.

For now, though, she’s with a great group of people and having the time of her life!