Training Like an Astronaut at the House of Commons
Veteran young astronauts from the programme shared their experiences of Mission X 2013 with new budding young astronauts.
Both veteran schools and rookie schools new to Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut met up with space and health experts at the event to share their experiences of the educational programme.
British ESA astronaut, Tim Peake, is Mission X ambassador for the UK. Tim said about the programme: “Being fit and healthy is a key requirement for future astronauts. Spaceflight can be physically demanding and part of my job is to train hard so that I‘m always ready to go into space. It’s much easier to exercise on earth than in microgravity! The real mission is to encourage kids today to exercise and eat a healthy diet, and astronaut training exercises are an exciting, fun way to do it.”
Schools were welcomed to the House of Commons by the host, Dr Philip Lee, who spoke about the importance of the UK space sector and the many opportunities in the sector for young people who are enthusiastic about space. Mission X 2013 schools were then awarded for excelling in their astronaut training activities with signed certificates and books by author, Lucy Hawking.
Veteran schools (Forest Hall School, Hockerill Anglo-European College, Summerville Primary School, Northbury Junior School, Manchester Communication Academy and Hollygirt School) demonstrated a range of Mission X activities, including Energy of an Astronaut, Crew Assembly, Hydration Station, Living Bones, Strong Bones and The Speed of Light, to new schools in a Mission X Showcase session.
The theme of the training event was 'A Sense of Space' and, to this end, Dr David Green from the Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences (CHAPS) at Kings College London gave a presentation on the physiology of the body in space and how it affects the senses. CHAPS students then demonstrated some of the effects of space on the human body using fun, interactive activities. Participating schools also had the opportunity to view a Sokul spacesuit and attend the Parliamentary Space Committee’s Christmas Reception, where British ESA astronaut, Tim Peake, answered students’ questions over a Skype link.
The Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut programme, developed by the partners of the International Space Station (ISS), uses astronaut training to teach how good diet and exercise play an important role in human performance in space and on the Earth. The programme is free and the activities can be used by primary and secondary schools (as well as individuals or community groups) and are accompanied by student and educator guides.
So far 8,440 children from 164 schools have signed up for Mission X 2014 and since the programme started in 2011, 13,000 UK students from over 115 British schools have taken part.
The deadline for schools to sign up has been extended to 31 December 2013 and the international challenge will start on 13 January 2014.
To register schools should both:
- Fill in the registration form on the international website
- E-mail the UK Space Agency at mx@ukspaceagency.bis.gsi.gov.uk
