As the Phoenix spacecraft came to rest on the barren Martian landscape, the control room at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory was crammed with NASA experts sporting doctorates in every space-related discipline. But there was one witness to the historic landing who still hadn't made it out of kindergarten.

Six-year-old Tyler, who was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, had a spot in the control room because he loves space exploration. When wish granters offered him the chance to make a dream come true, he reached for the stars by wishing to watch the Phoenix Mars Lander touch down. And he was the first to congratulate the brilliant minds behind the mission.

"Good job from Tyler Zimmerman," he said over his headset, sending his message from the Pasadena, Calif., lab to stations in Australia and Spain.

Being part of the event was a milestone for Tyler, too, coming after months of chemotherapy that delayed his entry to kindergarten. Doctors first diagnosed Tyler when he was 4, just after he broke his leg. He handled MRIs, CT scans and blood tests without a complaint.

"He's my inspiration," said his mother, Celia. "He never cried or asked why. He just does what he has to do."

Though Tyler puts on a brave face where his treatments are concerned, he reveled in the joy of his new NASA colleagues. They explained to him that all might not go to plan. The rover might malfunction and wind up a pile of debris on the hot surface of the Red Planet. They all watched tensely over a four-hour stretch.

"We were hoping for a UFO," Celia joked.

Though no extraterrestrial appeared, they did get to see a perfect landing. Tyler clapped and beamed as the engineers hugged, shouted and high-fived after the touchdown. He had bonded with them earlier in the day; the engineers sent him home with a full payload of stickers, patches, pins and other gifts.

Though the landing was the ultimate day of fun for space-loving Tyler, he also enjoyed some other California activities: A trip to Universal Studios, a full tour of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a full day at Legoland. The Legoland trip was perfect for Tyler because a Star Wars-themed Lego playset was the first stage of his fascination for space. From there, he started building his own spacecraft from the building blocks.

Though real-life space exploration is a bit mundane without Wookies and lightsabers, Tyler knew he was part of something big. He could tell from the exuberant adults and the TV cameras around him. And it let him forget about the illness that brought him to the control room.

"We were able to forget everything we've ever been through and just focus on having fun," Celia said. "It was a nice break from our new life routine. It just makes me want to cry as a mom!"

UAW Local 599 raised funds by holding a golf scramble and car show to grant Tyler's wish. Members also treated him to a send-off party and presented him with a LEGO set. Local 599 is one of the local UAW-GM unions that has partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation since 1999.