British astronaut Tim Peake launches Mission X astronaut training
This year’s Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut, supported by British ESA astronaut Tim Peake, will see more than 8,000 UK students taking part in a mix of science, exercise and co-ordination challenges, designed to boost their health, fitness and interest in STEM subjects.
The 2014 programme kicked off with several national launch events, one of which was held on 31 January at Salford City Stadium. This event included a Skype call linking up UK students with Mission X students from The Netherlands and a recorded message from Tim Peake. The event also included a selection of Mission X activities and saw Mission X students taking part in the Space Explorers Rap with rapper 'MC Orbit' (real name Jon Chase - CBBC Presenter and Science Communicator).
Tim Peake (right) is very much the face of Mission X in the UK as he trains for his own mission to the ISS in December 2015. Nutrition, fitness, bone health, dexterity and co-ordination tasks that are key to Mission X are absolute priorities for Tim as he prepares for his long duration stay on the International Space Station.
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, added: "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 MX2014 challenge, Mission X UK teams will perform a number of physical exercises and classroom science 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 six weeks and will have scores awarded after each activity. 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 in the Mission X pages of the UK Space Agency website .
A full list of missions can be found on the international Mission-X website .
