Mission X blast off
Nearly 6000 UK students, from 86 UK schools, have just embarked on a unique mission to train like an astronaut and boost their health and fitness.
Supported by the UK Space Agency, as part of the international Mission X challenge, Mission X in the UK ‘blasted off’ this week at events at the Salford City Stadium and the Royal Aeronautical Society in London.
During the events students took part in Mission X workshops - a mix of science background, co-ordination and dexterity challenges, and exercise challenges. British ESA astronaut Tim Peake was on hand to help the students through their activities and talk about what it’s like to be an astronaut.
Major Tim Peake, the first British ESA astronaut, said: "It is so important to exercise and eat healthily whilst you are young. Getting fit and staying fit will help you to do whatever you want with your life, even reaching for the stars!"
Jeremy Curtis, Head of Education for the UK Space Agency, said: "Mission X provides an exciting opportunity for UK students to learn from them and boost their health, fitness and science education
"The UK Space Agency is proud to support Mission X in the UK. Astronauts know the vital importance of physical training for mission success, and Mission X provides an exciting opportunity for UK students to learn from them and boost their health, fitness and science education."
Over the six week MX2013 challenge, Mission X UK teams will perform a number of physical exercises and classroom lessons to become as fit as an astronaut and learn the importance of an active lifestyle and healthy nutrition.
The students, aged between eight and 14, will take part in the mission for 6 weeks and will have scores awarded after each exercise. The points awarded help the Mission X mascot, Astro Charlie, take steps towards the moon. The UK Blog on the international website will allow teams to upload results, download educational material, check the results and share comments.
Activity challenges in the UK include 19 different physical and scientific missions. Examples include:
- Energy of an Astronaut
- Base Station Walkback
- Let's Climb a Martian Mountain
- Crew Assembly
- Do a Spacewalk
All schools across the UK are able to access the Mission X activities and resources for free, providing them with a fun and interesting way to promote fitness and boost interest in science. Teaching resources can be found on the UK Mission X website and a full list of missions can be found on the international Mission-X website.
Mission X is an international pilot project led by NASA and ESA and involving 22 different countries.
Richard Garriott, the sixth private citizen to fly in Earth's orbit, and one of the Mission X ambassadors, said: “I had to overcome major medical issues before I could get to space. Being healthy and fit is important to get into space and to enjoy your time off–world.”
