My Go for Launch! Experience: A Dream on the ISS
What would you do if you had the opportunity to launch research onto the International Space Station? Can you picture the rocket’s loud roar, the vibrations in the ground, and the piercing of the clouds? My journey to launch my ideas into space started with Go for Launch!.
I first heard and learned about Go for Launch! from a friend. The idea of the program piqued my interest, and I quickly told my parents about the event and signed up. I expected a presentation style program, where I would listen to dozens of presentations on the different aspects of space travel and NASA planning. Instead, during Go for Launch!, I took part in a team-building exercise, learned about the inspiring stories of different astronauts and missions, and designed my own research mission.
The event started with everyone introducing themselves, and after this introduction, everyone formed a team of 4-5 people. After all the teams formed, we participated in a team-building activity, where given a limited amount of materials, we competed to build the tallest rocket launch tower that could withstand a small breeze (from a fan). During this activity, I remember talking to and getting to know my team-members better. I also remember the creation of a miniature assembly line because one person would cut the tape into small pieces, another person would tape two popsicle sticks together, and someone else would construct the actual tower. After everyone built their towers, the fan went around the room, knocking over almost every tower. Unfortunately, my group’s tower also fell down after standing upright for a few seconds.
From the moment I discovered that I won theGo for Launch! Kuiper event, I have been ecstatic. Though, I was also initially nervous because I wasn’t sure what I had to do. Fortunately, after my fi rst meeting with Space Tango I became relieved because they understood my group’s project. Since then, I have been more and more excited, and the anticipation has been building. This has led me to begin brainstorming countless ideas on how I could use the data collected to help the world around me.
Now, as the launch date has been fast approaching, I have been imagining how my research project will look on the International Space Station. It has been a very surreal feeling when I think that I helped design something orbiting hundreds of miles above the Earth’s surface, next to astronauts. I have also been imagining the rocket launch, picturing the rocket taking off and the loud rumble shooting past me.
Written by Stellar Student Shreshta Parthaje, Team Aeroloco, Winners of Go For Launch! Kuiper 2024
