FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Higher Orbits Alice Carruth
(575) 639-1113
Higher Orbits Brings Astronaut-Led Go For Launch!
STEM Experience Back to Albuquerque
Two-day program November 7–8 connects New Mexico students with astronaut Gregory H. Johnson and opportunities in the space-enabled economy
HIGHER ORBITS HQ – October 2026 – Higher Orbits, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation through space-inspired STEM education, is returning to Albuquerque with its flagship Go For Launch! program November 7–8, 2026, at the NewSpace Nexus Launchpad.
The two-day experience will bring students in grades 8–12 together with astronaut Gregory H. “Box” Johnson (pictured) and space industry professionals for hands-on activities, teamwork, leadership development, and the opportunity to design an experiment that could one day fly to space.
Taking place over National STEM Day on November 8, the event will highlight the importance of providing young people with meaningful opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while discovering the wide range of careers available in the growing space-enabled economy.
“New Mexico has an incredible history in space exploration and an exciting future in the space industry,” said Michelle Lucas, Founder and CEO of Higher Orbits. “But building that future workforce starts with making sure young people have opportunities to see themselves as part of it. Go For Launch! gives students the chance to work alongside astronauts and industry professionals, discover their own potential, and realize that there are many different pathways into the space industry.”
Throughout the program, students will work in teams to tackle real-world challenges, strengthen their communication and problem-solving skills, and develop proposals for experiments that could be conducted in microgravity. Teams will present their ideas to a panel of judges, with the winning team advancing to compete for the opportunity to have its experiment launched into space.
Astronaut Gregory H. Johnson, a veteran of two Space Shuttle missions, will share his experiences in spaceflight and work directly with participants, offering insights into the teamwork, perseverance, and diverse skills required for successful space missions.
(Image of Go For Launch! 2025 at the NewSpace Nexus Launch Pad with Higher Orbits CEO Michelle Lucas)
The Albuquerque event is part of Higher Orbits’ ongoing commitment to expanding access to space-inspired STEM education. Over the past decade, the organization has engaged more than 3,000 students across 24 states through its programs and has helped launch 24 student-designed experiments to space.
“Students don't have to dream of becoming astronauts to have a future in the space industry,” said Alice Carruth, Chief Operating Officer of Higher Orbits. “From engineering and manufacturing to communications, cybersecurity, medicine, and business, the opportunities are enormous. Our goal is to help students connect what they enjoy and what they're good at with careers they may never have considered.”
Community Support Makes It Possible
Go For Launch! Albuquerque is made possible through the support of organizations committed to expanding access to STEM education and developing New Mexico's future workforce.
The program is being funded with a grant from the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium and support from sponsors, including Sandia National Laboratories, and will be hosted at NewSpace Nexus Launchpad, providing students with an opportunity to experience hands-on STEM learning in an environment connected to New Mexico's growing space innovation ecosystem.Higher Orbits thanks its additional sponsors AIAA Albuquerque chapter, Munchie Food Truck, M’tuccis Restaurant and national sponsors Burns and McDonnell, A-B Emblem, Uniphi Space Agency, Space Tango, Space Shirts and AIAA for helping make this experience accessible to local students. Their investment supports hands-on learning, astronaut engagement, and opportunities for students to develop skills that will serve them well in any future career.
Registration Information
Event: Go For Launch! Albuquerque 2026
Dates: November 7–8, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily
Location: NewSpace Nexus Launchpad, 2420 Alamo Ave SE, Suite 104, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12
Registration: $25 per student
Registration includes all program materials, lunch, snacks, an event T-shirt, mission patch, and space-themed swag bag. Students must attend both days of the program.
To register or learn more, visit: Go For Launch! Albuquerque 2026 | Higher Orbits
About Higher Orbits
Higher Orbits is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and engaging the next generation through the use of spaceflight as a platform for STEM education. Through its flagship Go For Launch! program and other educational opportunities, Higher Orbits helps students develop skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, leadership, teamwork, and communication while exploring pathways into the space-enabled economy.
Learn more at www.higherorbits.orgMedia Contact:
Alice Carruth
Chief Operating Officer, Higher Orbits
alice@higherorbits.org
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