The experiments and their automated robotic microlabs have been created and successfully tested, and are now scheduled to launch to the ISS in mid-October aboard the Cygnus CRS Orb-3
Texas, United States (PRWEB) October 01, 2014
A group of sixteen students from Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School in Houston, Texas were chosen to take part in a pilot program being hosted by NASA and CASIS. The goal of the project was to create automated, robotically operated experiments that are to be performed in zero gravity. These experiments are scheduled to be tested at the International Space Station for a period of one month.
There were two different experiments conducted at the school this year, one by the senior class and one by the junior class. The juniors analyzed the formation of cell walls through the use of lipid mimics and the senior class attempted to find out whether single celled organisms could communicate through the use of chemicals even though they have no brain. Both experiments were successfully tested on Earth and will now be sent out for testing in a zero gravity environment.
"Eight students from both the senior class of 2014 and the senior class of 2015 were chosen to build the experiments through teamwork, research, engineering, design, and experimentation," says a representative from the school.
Both experiments are scheduled to depart in mid-October from Wallops Island, Virginia. The students are excited to see their hard work pay off but are currently unable to attend the launch due to a lack of funds. Cristo Rey Jesuit is a preparatory school that provides low income families with a place to send their children for a rigorous college-preparatory education. Students work one day per week and one Friday per month in order to help pay for their tuition.
According to the school's estimations, the students will need approximately $15,000.00 in order to pay for travel costs and housing for the trip. This amount includes the cost of airfare, chaperons, housing, rental cars and a bus.
A representative from the school was also quoted as saying, "The experiments and their automated robotic microlabs have been created and successfully tested, and are now scheduled to launch to the ISS in mid-October aboard the Cygnus CRS Orb-3."
In order to help raise the funds that are needed for this trip, the students have created an Indiegogo campaign. As a reward to contributors, the students and faculty are offering several different perks from t-shirts to a sample of the actual space slime that is being sent to the International Space Station this October. Those of you who would like to learn more about the crowdfunding campaign or the student's projects can visit the campaign page right on the Indiegogo website here.
Contact Information
Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston
6700 Mount Carmel Street Houston
Texas 77087 United States
Phone No: (951) 663 - 8943