Being part of Higher Orbits Go For Launch! and experiencing a space launch carrying several student experiments was a stunning and unforgettable experience for me. My team, Team Icarus, had the opportunity to launch legumes into space to examine how they grow in microgravity. Seeing a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lift off and carry our experiment as part of a 5,000-pound payload was something I will never forget. I am beyond grateful to have been able to be part of such a remarkable group and to see where the experiment will go in these upcoming months.
It was my first time in Florida, and I was in awe from the moment I arrived. The entire town seemed to be lit up with space-themed locations, surrounded by NASA buildings and the distant silhouettes of rockets. That evening, my family and I joined students from the other teams. It was such a fun and memorable highlight to be able to finally meet others whose experiments were also flying to space. The launch was only hours away, and everyone was so excited. I didn’t know what to expect at first since I never saw a rocket launch beforehand. However, I felt very influenced from the entire experience, knowing that everyone’s hard work who made this happen was incredibly inspiring.
Later that night, we gathered at the official launch viewing site. As we waited, we had more time to talk and get to know the other teams. The sky was pitch black, but with the rocket standing illuminated, the scene was beautiful. As the countdown reached ten seconds, we all huddled together in anticipation. Then, ignition! The rocket lit up the sky and took off with a unique noise coming a few minutes later. Though smaller than some other rockets, its raw power and precision amazed me. It still astonishes me that such a meticulously engineered object can launch into space with so much accuracy. I felt so grateful knowing that the launch was successful and our legume experiment, along with algae, silkworm, and slime mold experiments — was now on its way to the International Space Station.
The next day, we visited the Kennedy Space Center and were blown away by the exhibits and spacecraft. We saw rockets that dated back to the 1960s, touched a real moon rock, and explored displays about the history and milestones of space exploration. The interactive simulators and engineering displays made it all feel even more real. At one point, while riding a bus to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), we even spotted an alligator along the way.
The VAB was my favorite part of the visit to the KSC. Its sheer size and capacity is beyond impressive. The blue section of the American flag painted on its side is the size of a basketball court, and each star is six feet across. It's one of the largest buildings in the world by volume, and standing near it gave me a new appreciation for the scale and ambition of spaceflight.
To wrap up our trip, we celebrated and said our goodbyes to everyone who attended and made this possible. The memories I made there and the overall impact this experience had on me will always inspire me to continue embarking on my passions and dreams. I am looking forward to the results of the projects and what the future of spaceflight will be like as research continues to change and progress with many energetic, passionate, and creative minds driving it!
Written By Stellar Student Alexis Simon
