Today started with the pack up! We gathered our luggage and collected it together at the hotel to prepare for our mid afternoon departure. But first - a great day of learning and wrapping up was to be had.
We departed from the hotel and headed to visit NanoRacks. This is a private contractor that facilitates the use of "Cube Satellites" on the ISS. These are 4" x 4" x 4" satellites that can be loaded with electronics, sensors, cameras, and/or whatever developers dream up. NanoRacks provides some of the structure and framework for research to take place both on the ISS directly as well as to launch CubeSats from ISS into Low Earth Orbit. We got to see some Cubes and hear about the process of preparing them and launching them into orbit.
This was the most direct connection to our engineering project - as we created a satellite ejector system to run on the PABF (Precision Air Bearing Floor). It was a great way to see the value of the teamwork of our group.
After leaving NanoRacks we headed back to our home base in Building 9 at JSC for final team presentations. KatoLaunchSquad did a great job of summing up their work and highlighting their learning during the process. We'll insert a link here to the presentation once it becomes available. We got to hear from each of the 5 teams participating this week and engage each other in questions.
We had an informal 'graduation' from MgUE and received certificates and photos to recognize the team's work.
After lunch in Building 9 we were surprised once more by our hosts as they arranged for us to visit Rocket Park on the way out. The Saturn V rocket is a beast!!
Once back to the hotel we spent a bit of time absorbing the Texas sun before heading out to the airport to return to Minnesota. We had safe flights home - and managed to arrive back in Mankato just as the large winter snow storm began to drop March wet snow upon us!
We departed from the hotel and headed to visit NanoRacks. This is a private contractor that facilitates the use of "Cube Satellites" on the ISS. These are 4" x 4" x 4" satellites that can be loaded with electronics, sensors, cameras, and/or whatever developers dream up. NanoRacks provides some of the structure and framework for research to take place both on the ISS directly as well as to launch CubeSats from ISS into Low Earth Orbit. We got to see some Cubes and hear about the process of preparing them and launching them into orbit.
We had an informal 'graduation' from MgUE and received certificates and photos to recognize the team's work.
After lunch in Building 9 we were surprised once more by our hosts as they arranged for us to visit Rocket Park on the way out. The Saturn V rocket is a beast!!
Once back to the hotel we spent a bit of time absorbing the Texas sun before heading out to the airport to return to Minnesota. We had safe flights home - and managed to arrive back in Mankato just as the large winter snow storm began to drop March wet snow upon us!
We are thankful for the teamwork of all of the students and teachers that developed this project together. Many hands had a part in pulling this together. While only a few were able to travel, all had important contributions to the work!
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