Packing for Mars on my bucket list

JEREMY CROOCK,

GRADE 11

KING DAVID VICTORY PARK

Pictured: Nicole P Stott (NASA astronaut, 2000 NASA group; Francesco Fusco, executive director of FISE United Space school; Jeremy Croock (KDHSVP); and Gary A Lantz, treasurer of FISE.

The programme incorporates many intriguing lectures, presentations and outings, with the end goal of having the learners cumulatively planning a manned mission to Mars.

The 48 learners were split into five teams with each team focusing on a specific aspect of the Mars mission: Yellow (Finance and Legislature), Red (Interplanetary Transit), Maroon (Mars Logistics), Green (Crew Wellness) and Blue (Exploration).

As a Red team member I gained insight into the workings of interplanetary flight and some of the issues we are currently faced with. As a team we grappled with many complex problems such as finding a suitable engine while maintaining fuel efficiency for the duration of the mission.

We visited interesting facilities such as Ad Astra Rocket Company’s research and development lab (where we met CEO Franklin Chang Diaz, joint world record-holder for greatest number of space shuttle flights and Building 9 at Space Centre Houston, with its full-scale replica of the International Space Station (ISS).

One of the highlights was a presentation by Bas Lansdorp, CEO of Mars One, a not-for-profit organisation planning to establish a permanent colony on Mars. After the lecture I was able to meet him.

Every year the United Space School awards the top four learners with flags that have been flown over either the state or national capitols. I’m proud to have won one of the four flag awards along with a certificate for outstanding scientific design for my Nanoracks Experimental Design Assignment.

Attending the United Space School has opened my eyes to the viability of a career in the aerospace industry.