Mission X kicks off in the UK
'Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut,' an ESA educational project, kicked off in the UK on 14 January. ESA Astronaut Paolo Nespoli - currently on board the International Space Station for the MagISStra mission - wished the Mission X participants 'good luck' via Twitter.
Over 270 students from seven schools in the UK have embarked on the eight-week Mission X to boost their health and fitness. The event launching the mission took place on 14 January at Mountfitchet Mathematics and Computing College in Essex. The initiative was warmly welcomed by students and teaching staff alike.
During the mission, students, aged 8-12, will be involved in a variety of science missions, physical exercise and dexterity challenges. The objective is to create positive awareness of human spaceflight activities and make European astronauts an inspiring model for a healthy lifestyle among young people.
Schools across the UK can 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. A full list of missions can be found on the Mission date page of the Mission X website (see related links opposite).
In addition to the words of encouragement from Mission X ambassador Paolo Nespoli, the first ESA Astronaut from the UK, Tim Peake, conveyed the following message to participants: "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!"
Paolo Nespoli is scheduled to speak to students from the ISS in late March.
Find out more
Julia Short
Press Officer
UK Space Agency
Tel: +44 (0)1 793 418069
Mobile: + 44(0) 7770 276721
Email: Julia Short
