Mission to Mars

29 September 2007

Challenger Center, Houston-The goal? Launch a space craft with 10 crew members in to space, land on Mars, launch back into space and return to Earth with a stop on the moon in between. Thunderbird Composite Squadron did just that on September 28, 2007 at the Challenger Center in the Houston Museum of Natural Science.  

How much responsibility did our cadets take on?  Enough to get us from the mother earth to moon base Alpha.  Re-supply and then off to Mars. On Earth the communications center was buzzing with activity. Lights, alarms, discussion among crew members, launching a satellite and even emergencies made the mission an activity the squadron members will remember for a life time. 

Crews sent into space must pass through a decontamination chamber before entering the space ship.  Remote control robotic tests were a challenge but video skills filled the gap. Using team work in all situations from launch, emergencies and landings the crews learned that to accomplish a mission as no one single crew member could possibly do this alone.  The cadets learned much about each other and are using their new team skills.  This activity is great for team building as well as a recruiting event. Our cadets invited friends, some of whom have since joined CAP.  Our own Texas Wing Director of Aerospace Education,  Maj Bjorn Sundet,  is a volunteer at the Museum. Contact Maj Sundet to arrange your own exciting mission.

Here is a web site to help you make turn this activity into reality for your squadron http://www.hmns.org/files/education/full_mission.pdf .  The stars await you.

By: Capt Denise Thompson, Lt Col Michael Hopkins and Maj Bjorn Sundet