SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Despite the cruel hour of the morning, three cadets were alive with excitement about travelling to Orlando, Fla., to see the launch of the space shuttle Endeavor, tour the Kennedy Space Centre and the space museum and attend lunch with an astronaut.

"They're going to see several things while they're down there," said Captain Dale Crouch, Tuesday morning.

"They're going to see the space museum, they're going to have an opportunity to see some of the technology that goes into the space shuttle itself, they'll have a chance to speak with members of the Canadian Space Agency and also members of the NASA program and they'll be there during the launch itself."

Crouch said the squadron in Yellowknife was invited to send three cadets. The three selected were seniors in the program, having been in the local squadron for at least four years, and who demonstrated commitment to the program and an interest in space.

The three were definitely interested in space.

"I'm looking to become an astronaut myself," said Warrant Officer Second Class Charles Jensen, one of the three cadets.

Jensen said the air cadets program prepares him well for those goals.

"It starts you off with the fundamentals on entering the air force, and from there on, you're just building hours," said Jensen.

The space shuttle pilot's job requires a certain amount of hours of jet piloting experience, among other education and health criteria.

Another cadet, Flight Sergeant Ilia Daniel, said she is looking for opportunities to get involved in the space program in the near future.

All three were adamant about their interest, and Crouch said the air cadet program has sent cadets to Quebec for aerospace camp a few times in the last year as well.

"The squadron here has always been interested in space as part of the program," said Crouch.

He said space has been playing a progressively larger role in the program over the last two years.