As if a job as the co-host of a game show wasn't exciting enough, Carol Vorderman is now taking a new role as one of the directors of the board of a space education program put up following the 1986 Challenger space shuttle tragedy.
The former co-host of the popular British game show Countdown will be sitting alongside seven astronauts, NASA representatives and spaceflight companies at the Challenger Center for Space Science Education.
Vorderman will also be taking part in a live link from San Antonio Texas, to the International Space Center (ISS).
"I'm thrilled and honored to have been voted on to the board of this amazing organization and I can't wait to get fully involved," said Vorderman.
The 54-year-old Cambridge graduate added that, for decades, one of her passions has been encouraging children into science and engineering, noting that the opportunities that the Challenger Center provides to children are excellent.
Further, she hopes that the education program will provide children with opportunities to look into future careers in space, adding how massive a fascination space is for everyone.
The Challenger space shuttle exploded on takeoff in January 28, 1986, and killed the seven — two women and five men — astronauts onboard. The Challenger Center Space Education Program was put up by the families of the crew members, who are now carrying on the crews' educational mission, as well as the spirits of their loved ones.
Vorderman, who holds an engineering degree from Cambridge University, along with an MBE for her services to broadcasting, did not hide her excitement during a recent trip to the Challenger Center in Texas.
Don't let me out ... I don't wanna go home ... #space #education #children #STEM x pic.twitter.com/uHdmgOo7G2
— Carol Vorderman MBE (@carolvorders) August 11, 2015
New members of the board at the Challenger Center include Lowell Grissom, brother of Gus Grissom, who died during Apollo 1 testing, and commander and astronaut from NASA Mark Kelly, whose twin brother Scott also works for the ISS.
In November last year, Vorderman became the first female RAF honorary group captain, as an ambassador for the Air Cadets. Next year, she plans to be the ninth woman to fly her own plane around the world, to help raise funds for the RAF Air Cadets for their 75th anniversary, along with other charities.
