Moderator: Welcome to Space Explorers, Inc.’s live online chat. Please welcome today’s chat host: Lance Bass, certified Cosmonaut, World Space Week spokesman, and member of the pop group *NSYNC.
Chaveaira: How old were you when you started thinking about going to space?
Lance: I was around 8 or 9 years old when my Grandfather took me to Kennedy Space Center to see my first launch, it was incredible!
Amy: How many hours per day/days per week did you study and train while you were in Russia?
Lance: From 7am until 9pm 6 days a week!!
Karen: How did you get to be the youth spokesperson for world space week?
Lance: Because of my love of space and my experiences becoming a Cosmonaut, NASA thought that I would be able to inspire kids to become more interested and involved
Daniel: How much did it cost to be trained by Russia?
Lance: It didn't cost me anything personally
Karen: How did you get interested in space?
Lance: My Dad and Grandfather were always interested in space and they got me into wanting to know more
Megan: Lance, even though you weren't successful in initally going into space two years ago, with your group on hiatus, is it something that you'll again persue in the near future (within the next two years)?
Lance: I hope so!
Chimene: I know your dream is singing if you had a choice between Nsync once again and or going out to space what would it be and why?
Lance: Maybe I would have to flip a coin...:-)
Jessica: Was training to be a cosmonaut fun? What was fun about it?
Lance: It was fun because it was something that interested me, to other people they might not have found it to be that much fun but I really enjoyed it.
Student: How old are you?
Lance: Just turned 26 on May 4th
Student: How do you keep up with you schedule?
Lance: I have a really good assistant!
Karen: How does an education help out if you want to be an astronaut?
Lance: It is the most important part of becoming an astronaut, especially math, science and critical thinking
Daniel: Do you think regular people should be able to go to space, and when do you think that should happen?
Lance: I think everyone should have the opportunity to go to space one day but it shouldn't happen until there is a safer way to get them there.
Major: What are some of the activities you would be doing as a Russian cosmonaut?
Lance: I would be working on experiments, environmental research, and finding new educational tools to be used in schools.
Karen: What was your favorite subject while you were in school?
Lance: My favorite subject in school was Math then Science
Amy: Why do you think that it's important that children start focusing on learning about Space in school once again?
Lance: I truly believe that kids becoming more interested in space exploration will help the future of our planet
Karen: Are you planning on singing in outer space?
Lance: Absolutely!
Hollie: What kinds of training exercises did you complete while training in Russia?
Lance: Parabolic flights, ran 4 miles a day, underwater training, learning the Russian language, lots of studying and physical training. We learned about how to live on the International Space Station even down to how to eat and drink in space.
Zee: Did you, or do you watch any Star Trek? And do you think that that kind of future is attainable?
Lance: I've never watched it but I think anything is possible
sarah: Where are you chatting with us?
Lance: I am chatting with you because I love that kids are interested in space and want to do whatever I can to promote more interest in our space program
sarah: Did you have any of your friends or family with you in Russia?
Lance: Yes, I had my manager Cindy with me and we adopted a stray kitten and named him Orbit
Deangelina: Do you like space exploration better than being in a singing group? Why?
Lance: I like them both, they are so different from one another. I love performing but have always been interested in space exploration
Patricia: What do you think it will be like in space?
Lance: I cannot even find appropriate words to describe what I think it would be like, it's my dream so it would be the most fulfilling accomplishment I can imagine
Jackie: If you could be stranded in space with 1 other person, who would you choose?
Lance: Does it have to be a person or can I bring my dogs? Just kidding, I'd have to say Jennifer Aniston now that she is single!!
Student: What are your hobbies
Lance: Sky diving, hiking, taking my dogs to the park, I like anything adventurous
Student: when did you decide to be a acter/singer?
Lance: I first became interested in being an entertainer when I was 16
Amy: What was the hardest part about learning the Russian language?
Lance: EVERYTHING! Especially that my Russian teacher was French!
Santiago: Have you ever thought about making a music studio in space?
Lance: No, I think that might cost too much money
Sean: On the first day of weightlessness, what will you do to and how will you get used to it?
Lance: I would probably get sick and throw up but my body would adjust
Guillermo: If your flight to space is/was successful, what will be your next goal with space?
Lance: I am just going to continue to work on getting there first then will figure out the rest but I'd love to be on a shuttle mission
Jason: How many dogs do you have? Haley
Lance: 2, their names are Foster and Dingo, they are brothers that were rescues
Bobby: How long would you like to stay in space?
Lance: I think that 10 days would be plenty of time for me
Karen: If you could travel to any planet which one would it be and why?
Lance: Mars, because of the recent discoveries
Tara: How often do you see the other guys from Nsync?
Lance: all the time, I can't get Joey out of my house
Katie: Do you have any apprehensions about space travel?
Lance: I would only be concerned that I do a good job and make the most out of the experience
Megan: How did you deal with the letdown of not being able to go to space right after your cosmonaut taining and certification?
Lance: I just continued pursuing it, I am not going to give up and in the meantime I can continue to get more people interested in it
Jessa: What from your training has continued to be the biggest help to you in your everyday life?
Lance: I realized how lucky we are to live in America and feel blessed to be here. I no longer take things for granted, my life there was very minimalistic and we lived with only the basics so I really value the comforts of home more.
Liz: How come you did not get into space that first time?
Lance: Due to complications beyond my control I was grounded
Student: What is your favorite song?
Lance: My favorite song is "The Dance" by Garth Brooks
Charity: Will you be at nsync's CFTC
Lance: Of course I will, can't wait!!
Jason: what song are you going to sing in space? Jayme and Lindi
Lance: Not sure which song yet
Major: Do you get scared of space travel due to the space shuttle tradegies?
Lance: No, I believe that it will only become safer to travel into space
sarah: Can you give us some scoop on your future projects?
Lance: I have my own Film and TV production company and am still pursuing acting/producing
Kristen: When you were in Russia, what was your favorite experience and why?
Lance: My favorite part of being there was becoming friends with the other Cosmonauts and the zero gravity flight
Karen: When do you expect to go into space?
Lance: As soon as I'm able, I know that it will happen when the time is right
Moderator: Thank you Lance Bass!