One of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced was my very first Go For Launch! event. That’s where I met Astronaut Don Thomas, and ever since then, he’s stuck in my mind, not just because of how inspiring he is, but because of a hilarious coincidence.
See, my absolute favorite burrito shop in Midland is called Don Tomas Café. So when I saw Don Thomas’s name on the flyer for Go For Launch!, I literally laughed. For a second, I wondered, “Is he related to the burrito place?” Spoiler: he’s not. But the connection made me pay attention, and now both Don Thomas's have a special place in my heart.
Let me take a quick detour to talk about Don Tomas Café, because it deserves the spotlight. Their tortillas are massive, we’re talking blanket-sized, and perfectly fluffy with just the right chew. Their chile verde con carne is absolutely everything, tender meat swimming in spicy, flavorful green chile sauce. And the Asado? Smoky, bold, and built to impress. But the real MVP? The salsa. That salsa is salsaing. It’s bold, it’s fresh, it’s bright, it hits you with a little fire and a whole lot of flavor. Pair all that with their creamy queso, and you’re basically in food heaven. And now, the nachos, these are a full-on flavor overload. Piled high with pico de gallo, sour cream, beans, and your choice of cheese or queso (always queso, no question), they also come with your pick of meat. The ones you’re looking at? Drenched in their chille verde con carne, and it does not disappoint. Every chip is layered with slow-cooked pork soaked in that vibrant green chille sauce, then completely smothered in their queso, rich, creamy, velvety queso that oozes into every crevice. It’s the kind of queso that makes you close your eyes for a second just to take it all in. It’s not just a topping, it’s a warm, savory hug in liquid gold form. These nachos are messy, indulgent, and absolutely worth every bite.
Now back to astronaut Don Thomas. He’s flown on four space shuttle missions, spending more than 1,040 hours in space. That’s over 43 days orbiting the Earth, doing science experiments in zero gravity, and seeing the planet from a view most of us only dream about. What inspired me the most, though, was his story about perseverance. He didn’t get accepted into the astronaut corp right away. In fact, he was rejected three times before finally being chosen on his fourth try. That kind of determination really stuck with me.
Meeting him reminded me that astronauts aren’t just legends from the history books, they’re real people who face obstacles, get told “no,” and still keep going. Don Thomas chased his dream all the way to space. And thanks to Go For Launch!, I got to meet and learn from him.
So now, every time I dive into a burrito stuffed with chile verde con carne, queso, and that iconic salsa, I think of Don Thomas, both of them.
Written by Stellar Student Yuki from Go For Launch! Midland
