Hayley Arceneaux facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hayley Arceneaux
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Arceneaux at Johnson Space Center
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| Born | December 4, 1991 |
| Alma mater | Southeastern Louisiana University |
| Occupation | Physician assistant |
| Known for | Private astronaut aboard Inspiration4 |
| Relatives | |
| Space career | |
Commercial astronaut |
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Time in space
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2d 23h 3m |
| Missions | Inspiration4 |
Hayley Arceneaux, born on December 4, 1991, is an amazing American physician assistant and a commercial astronaut. She made history by joining billionaire Jared Isaacman on Inspiration4, SpaceX's first-ever private trip to space. This exciting mission launched on September 16, 2021, and landed safely back on Earth on September 18.
Hayley became the very first person with a prosthetic leg bone to travel into space! She achieved this incredible feat after bravely overcoming bone cancer when she was a child. At 29 years old, Hayley was the youngest American to journey into space. While someone younger later flew on a shorter trip, Hayley still holds the record for being the youngest American to actually orbit our planet!
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Meet Hayley Arceneaux, the Inspiring Astronaut!
Her Early Life and Dreams
Hayley grew up in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Her father, Howard Stanford Arceneaux, passed away in 2018. Her brother and sister-in-law are both aerospace engineers, who design and build spacecraft and aircraft.
When Hayley was 10, she started having pain in her left knee. After some tests, doctors found out she had a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. Her family went to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for her care. There, she received special treatments, including chemotherapy and surgery. Doctors replaced part of her knee and placed a titanium rod in her leg to help her heal and move again.
This experience inspired Hayley to help other kids facing similar health challenges. Today, she works as a physician assistant at St. Jude, helping patients with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
Hayley graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She earned her college degree in Spanish in 2014. Later, in 2016, she became a certified Physician Assistant from LSU Health in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Her Incredible Space Journey: Inspiration4
On the Inspiration4 mission, Hayley served as the chief medical officer. This was a special private spaceflight, made possible by billionaire Jared Isaacman. She proudly shared that she believed she was the first person of Cajun heritage to travel to space.
Hayley is also famous for being the first person with a prosthesis to ever launch into space. To prepare for their space journey, Hayley and the rest of the Inspiration4 crew trained hard. This included climbing Mount Rainier in Washington state! During her training, Hayley was given the cool call sign "Nova".
Hayley and the Inspiration4 crew were featured on the cover of Time magazine in August 2021. She is also a member of the Association of Space Explorers, a group for people who have traveled to space.
Awards and Recognition
In 2003, Hayley was recognized as a Louisiana Young Hero for her courage and spirit.
See also
In Spanish: Hayley Arceneaux para niños
