Mission Control, we have a problem

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Carlin Leslie
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Twenty-eight students from the Whiteman Air Force Base Youth Center and the local community embarked on a Space Station Alpha mission July 31 at the Community Activities Center with the Challenger Center for Space. Students participated in a video conference with Mission Control, located in W. Va., to protect astronauts aboard the International Space Station from the most extreme solar flare ever recorded.

This simulated program is designed to test the knowledge of students by putting them in roles that manage different aspects of the mission including: the Radiation Team, who continually calculates the radiation levels from two Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter monitors in various locations on the space station; the Life Support Team, who calculates the carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the cabin and makes recommendations to keep those levels normal; the Crisis Management Team, who monitored all systems on board to ensure the astronauts and crew are safe; and the Storm Team, who calculate X-ray and proton readings to predict when the storm will cause problems for the ISS.

The Challenger Center for Space Science Foundation is a unique experience offered to children of all ages around the world. The program was created in the honor of Christa McAuliffe, who was selected for the "Teacher in Space" program, and the seven astronauts aboard the Challenger STS-51-L mission to space that exploded shortly after takeoff Jan. 28, 1986.

"Working with this program is so incredible and fun, reaching out and connecting with kids. Opening up possibilities in their lives is fulfilling," said Barbara Colton, Mission Commander, Challenger Learning Centers.

By the end of the mission, the students successfully solved the problems the ISS experienced and stabilization is restored to the Mission Commander. She reviews with the students and explains why each section is vital to the Space Station's mission.

During this two hour exercise the students were challenged to shield the astronauts from harmful radiation, keep the life support systems in balance and ensure the space station had enough power to get through an eclipse as it weathered the solar storm.

"Through this program I learned to work with people solving problems and giving information to astronauts on the Space Station," said Jacob Sauther, student participant.

"I touch the future. I teach" Christa McAuliffe - "Teacher in Space" Challenger STS-51-L 1948-1986.

For more information go to www.E-Missions.net or Kathleen Frank with Challenger Learning Centers at (304) 243-2435.