In July 2023, I had the privilege of participating in the Higher Orbits Go For Launch! event on Florida’s Space Coast. Surrounded by other students who share my fascination with space exploration, I joined a team that would soon call itself the Supernovas. Over the course of the event, we were challenged to think like astronauts, scientists, and engineers, and to create an experiment that, if chosen, might one day fly to the International Space Station (ISS).
Our team decided to take on the challenge of sustainability in space. We proposed using algae as a source of biofuel to help power spacecraft. The idea was born out of a simple but profound question: if humanity is going to travel farther into space, how can we do so sustainably? Algae, with its ability to produce energy and thrive in controlled environments, seemed like a small but powerful step toward answering that question.
To our excitement—and honestly, a little disbelief—our project was selected as the winning experiment of the event. What felt like a dream in July 2023 will now become reality when our algae biofuel experiment will launch aboard SpaceX CRS-33 on August 24, 2025, destined for the ISS. Knowing that something I helped create will orbit Earth, carried by a rocket, and studied by astronauts, is beyond words.
For me, this experience is not just about science—it’s about possibility. It reaffirmed my ambition to one day become both an astronaut and a scientist, whether in astrophysics or genetic engineering. The Go For Launch! event showed me the importance of teamwork, creative thinking, and persistence. More than anything, it gave me a glimpse into the future I want to build, one where I contribute to humanity’s journey beyond Earth.
As launch day approaches, I’m simply excited to see our experiment make its way to the ISS. It’s rewarding to know that an idea developed with a team of likeminded peers and mentors during a student program might soon play even a small role in space research. This milestone reminds me that the path to a career in space is built step by step—and this is one step I’ll never forget.
Written By Stellar Student Emma Carr, , Team SuperNOVA,
Winners of Go For Launch! Space Coast 2023 and the winners of the Go For Launch! 2023 Series
