Jamey Simpson, the son of retired astronaut Cady Coleman, grew up in Houston surrounded by children of astronauts and assumed everyone’s mother had the same celestial job. Coleman is a chemist, engineer, former Air Force colonel, and veteran of two Space Shuttle missions. At the age of 23, Simpson reflects on his mom’s time in space when he was just ten years old, as they are now featured in a film part of PBS Independent Lens series. The documentary, titled Space: The Longest Goodbye, showcases NASA’s preparation of astronauts for long absences, such as the three-year journey to Mars.
Despite missing events like band recitals and baseball practices, Simpson understood the importance of his mother’s work in space. He shares that he could not be upset with her because her work benefited many people on Earth. However, the frustration he felt manifested in interactions with others, leading him to take his anger out on his grandma. Despite the challenges, the mother and son maintained nightly communication through satellite phone calls and weekly video chats.
Director Ido Mizrahy reveals that he watched 50 hours of the video calls between Coleman and Simpson, showing the strong bond between the two. Coleman recalls the extreme emotions she experienced during the mission, such as crying upon seeing a picture of her son sent by his father. The film captures the unique bond between the crew members, each leaving someone different behind on Earth, a connection that unites them and helps them focus on the mission.
Despite some difficult conversations during the video chats about Simpson’s behavior, the constant communication between mother and son was key to the success of the mission. Coleman reflects on the possibility of staying in space longer than initially planned, expressing her willingness to do so in a heartbeat. Simpson shares his desire to follow in his mother’s footsteps and go to space, emphasizing the importance of solving the world’s greatest challenges. Both mother and son believe that the film puts the human aspect of human space flight front and center, highlighting the importance of their work.
The documentary Independent Lens — Space: The Longest Goodbye, which features Cady Coleman and Jamey Simpson, will air on PBS on May 6th. The film delves into the personal stories of astronauts and their families, showcasing the sacrifices and challenges they face in the pursuit of space exploration. Viewers will get a glimpse into the lives of those who make space missions possible, highlighting the human aspect of space travel and the importance of communication and connection with loved ones back on Earth.