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J. Moreno
Miércoles, 29 de enero 2025, 00:45
Jesús Calleja, a mountaineer from Fresno de la Vega, León, has long harboured dreams of becoming an astronaut. "I grew up in a mill on the outskirts of town, imagining it was a space station," he recalls with a laugh. Soon, he will become the third Spaniard in history to travel to space, in an unprecedented event where viewers will witness every step he takes to fulfil a dream initiated by the former CEO of Mediaset España, Paolo Vasile.
Calleja will join five others on the next manned flight of Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket, founded by Jeff Bezos. This historic moment will be broadcast live on Telecinco in a special programme hosted by journalist Carlos Franganillo. The network will cover the rocket's ascent, booster return, capsule landing, hatch opening, and the emotional reactions of Jesús and his family.
Until then, Prime Video will premiere the first two episodes of 'Calleja in Space' on Monday, February 3rd, with later broadcasts on Cuatro. The show features Calleja's preparation for the most significant challenge of his career, with contributions from astronauts Pedro Duque, Miguel López-Alegría, and Pablo Álvarez, as well as NASA engineers and experts. His family, especially his mother, will also be involved as he shares news of his upcoming project.
The New Shepard, which will carry Calleja, will launch from Blue Origin's facilities in West Texas. During the 11-minute journey, astronauts will ascend beyond the Kármán line, the internationally recognised boundary of space, experiencing several minutes of weightlessness and viewing Earth through large windows. Calleja states he is ready for the challenge. "I am trained to manage fear, which is crucial in life as it prevents mistakes. Panic, however, is a different story," he explains.
Pedro Duque offered valuable advice: "Study the flight phases, know the sounds you'll hear, as some explosions can be frightening. You'll decelerate from nearly 4,000 km/h with parachutes," Calleja reveals. He also mentions the psychological support he'll receive before departure. "Training helps you anticipate events, mitigating fear. I trust the scientists and engineering, as any doubt would keep me from being here," he expresses.
Calleja argues that the technology used in the spacecraft is so advanced that it will "democratise space travel." "We are gathering data to make space travel more accessible in the near future," he states. The presenter notes he has only three days of exclusive preparation, unlike the extensive training required in the past. "The design and configuration of the spacecraft allow us to travel to space in a much simpler way," he asserts.
According to Calleja, the journey will also boost science amidst a "wave of flat-earthers and conspiracy theorists," a concern particularly for the youth. He uses his social media influence to counter these theories with humour. "We make it fun and explain the science. I'm worried about young people forming incorrect ideas from social media. As you build your identity, it's crucial to have the right information," he emphasises.
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