First Space Launch Experience
Early Sunday morning at 2:45 a.m., I stood under the Florida sky and watched a rocket carry something very special into space. On board that SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was an experiment my team and I designed back when I was a junior in high school. It launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, headed to the International Space Station. Seeing it live in Orlando, only a day before I had to fly back to Austin for my second year at UT, was an experience I will never forget.
Our project focuses on studying the growth of silkworms and silk in microgravity. The idea first took shape in the classroom when we were challenged to think about experiments that could only be done in space. To know that the work we started as high school students was now riding into orbit felt surreal. It showed me how far determination and teamwork can take an idea. Watching the rocket ignite the sky and lift off was incredible. The ground shook, the roar of the engines echoed, and I realized that our project was really leaving Earth. It was overwhelming in the best way and reminded me that even as a student, I could be part of something much bigger than myself.
One of my favorite parts of the trip was meeting the other winning teams. We got to share our stories, hear about the different projects, and connect over the excitement of seeing our ideas make it to space. It was inspiring to see so many students passionate about science and problem-solving. That sense of community made the experience even more special and was a great way to kick off the start of the school year.
I feel incredibly grateful for the Higher Orbits Go For Launch program for giving us this opportunity, and for Michelle Lucas, whose guidance and dedication made sure students like me could experience this. I am also thankful for my teammates, who put in so much work and energy to bring the project to life. None of this would have happened without their creativity and persistence. Now, as a college student at UT Austin, looking back at what started in high school, I feel proud and humbled. It is not every day that a science project makes its way into space. This experience taught me the value of curiosity, hard work, and community, and it is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Written By Stellar Student Azaan Waseem
