Launching Ideas Beyond Earth!
When I think back to the summer before my senior year of high school, one of the most defining experiences I had was attending the Higher Orbits Go For Launch! program in Midland, Texas. At the time, I didn’t know just how much of an impact it would have on me. I signed up because I was fascinated by space exploration, teamwork, and problem-solving, but I never could have imagined that my team’s idea would actually make its way to space.
The program was intense, exciting, and full of challenges. Working with my team, we brainstormed ideas for experiments that could be meaningful in the context of space travel and long-term space living. After a lot of discussion, research, and design work, we settled on an experiment focused on silkworms and silk production in outer space. Our goal was to study how silkworms might behave and produce silk in microgravity, since silk has fascinating properties that could one day be useful in space applications. Designing the experimental container that would safely house the silkworms was no easy task; it required attention to detail, creativity, and a lot of perseverance. But in the end, our team pulled together and created something we were proud of.
Fast forward to now, two years later, I am about to begin my second year at The University of Texas at Austin, where I study computer science. Classes start on Monday, but on Sunday night I’ll be in Florida, watching our experiment launch into space. I couldn’t be more excited. It feels surreal to think that something my high school team and I worked so hard on is actually heading into orbit. It’s not every day that you get to say your work will leave Earth’s atmosphere! This weekend’s launch is more than just a project, it’s a reminder that hard work gets rewarded. For me, it’s also deeply motivating as I continue my academic journey in computer science. Technology and space exploration go hand-in-hand, and moments like this inspire me to keep learning and pushing boundaries. Even though I’ll be cutting it close, returning to Texas only about an hour before my first class of the semester; I wouldn’t miss this launch for anything. Watching the rocket lift off, carrying our silkworm experiment into space, will be a moment I know I’ll never forget. The Higher Orbits Go For Launch! program taught me the power of teamwork, innovation, and persistence. It showed me that with enough passion and effort, ideas that start in a classroom or a small workshop can actually become part of space exploration history. I’m grateful to have been part of this journey, and I’m beyond excited to see where it takes me next.
Written By Stellar Student Azaan Waseem, Team Chaparral Champions,
Winners of Go For Launch! 2023 Midland Series
