Higher Orbits Galactic HQ – June 20, 2024  - Thanks to a partnership with Kuiper Government Solutions, non-profit Higher Orbits will bring its Go For Launch! program to Arlington, VA. On July 11 and 12, students in grades 8-12 will participate in a space- inspired event held at Amazon's Virginia-based headquarters. Over the course of two days, students will participate in space-based activities that are designed to help them develop the critical skills needed for success in their future careers.

Through these activities, students have the opportunity to design an experiment that could one day fly to space. They will also work alongside a featured astronaut and other aerospace professionals, who will mentor students throughout the event.

Mike Foreman, a veteran NASA astronaut who flew multiple space shuttle missions for the agency hopes to inspire the next generation to never give up on their dreams and to keep working hard.

"I absolutely love STEM, and enjoy engaging with students about my background in engineering and my work as a NASA astronaut," said Foreman. "Being a part of Higher Orbits and Go For Launch! allows me to work with and encourage some of our brightest young minds, so I’m definitely looking forward to participating in Go For Launch! Kuiper."

Go For Launch! is the hands-on flagship program of Higher Orbits, a non-profit that aims
to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program is designed for students of all backgrounds—from the STEM novice to the more experienced—with the hopes of helping ALL students gain the skills and confidence necessary to enter the workforce as the STEMists and Explorers of the future.

The students work with industry professionals on teamwork, communication, research design, and leadership skills. While focusing on spaceflight, Go For Launch! students have the chance to work alongside a featured astronaut at each event to learn and develop important skills that can be applied in any professional field.

"Amazon Kuiper Government is excited to host Go For Launch! in partnership with Higher Orbits," said Rick Freeman, president Kuiper Government Solutions. "We look forward to the opportunity to mentor technically-minded high school students and supporting this space payload design challenge with an opportunity for students to win a payload slot on the International Space Station.

"Go For Launch! participants not only have access to incredible mentors, they also have the opportunity to compete to design an experiment that could fly to the International Space Station.

One lucky team will be selected as the winners of the Go For Launch! Kuiper event. The winning team's experiment will launch to the International Space Station on a future cargo mission, and the team will have the chance to work with Space Tango, a Higher Orbits partner, who will build the winning experiment.

Go For Launch! Kuiper is open to students in grades 8-12 (including rising 8th graders and recently graduated seniors) from anywhere, and is not restricted to only those residing in Virginia. Running July 11-12, 2024, Go For Launch! Kuiper will be held at Amazon's Headquarters in Arlington, VA. Interested students can register online at www.GoForLaunch.space. Financial aid is available to students who need assistance to attend this event.

Go For Launch! Kuiper is presented in partnership with Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions. All Go For Launch! Events are supported by the IDEA Space Coalition which is supported by Burns & McDonnell, Iridium, and Ridgeline International.

Higher Orbits is truly honored to work with many communities, companies, and individuals. It's through these partnerships that the organization is able to inspire the next generation of STEMists and explorers—the future workforce of our country.

Founded in 2015, Higher Orbits is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization creating an experiential learning lab for secondary school students across the United States, focused on the multi-faceted worlds of space exploration, research, and spaceflight in order to launch the next generation workforce our world desires. www.higherorbits.org  

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