Registration for Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut 2017 is now open!
DEADLINE: 31 December 2016
The challenge will start on 16 January 2017 and ends on 30 April 2017. To register go to trainlikeanastronaut and use the code RUBINS2017.
Aged 8 to 12?
Living in the UK?
You're invited to take part in this international challenge! Get involved in activities focusing on fitness and nutrition.
The Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut programme, developed by the partners of the International Space Station (ISS), uses astronaut training to teach how good diet and exercise play an important role in human performance in space and on Earth. British ESA Astronaut Tim Peake was the 2016 Mission X ambassador and recorded a number of messages about the importance of fitness and healthy food whilst he was on the ISS. The programme is free and the activities can be used by individuals, schools or community groups. It is accompanied by student and educator guides and video content recorded by astronauts.
Over 35000 UK students from over 600 teams took part in Mission X in 2016 alone. Since the programme started in 2011 over 60000 young people have taken part in the challenge. Students have had the opportunity to take part in live link-ups with the International Space Station; visit the European Space Agency (ESA)’s science and technology facility (ESTEC); learn alongside astronauts, space scientists, fitness and nutrition specialists; work alongside universities; link up with other schools internationally; and find out about life in space. The programme is supported by British ESA astronaut Tim Peake and his fellow astronaut colleagues Kate Rubins, Thomas Pesquet, Samantha Cristoforetti, and Paolo Nespoli. It has also received support from NASA astronaut Piers Sellers and private astronauts Richard Garriott and Per Wimmer.
“Being fit and healthy is a key requirement for future astronauts. Spaceflight can be physically demanding and part of my job is to train hard so that I‘m always ready to go into space. It’s much easier to exercise on Earth than in microgravity! The real mission is to encourage kids today to exercise and eat a healthy diet, and astronaut training exercises are an exciting, fun way to do it.” - Tim Peake
4 comments
Comment by Rosie posted on
Will you be doing this for an upper age limit
Teens ? - I work with young offenders aged 13 - 18
(& also middle aged fans of Tim !!) I would love to do something & I know my husband who is much fitter than me would & could !!
Comment by Tatiana posted on
Hi Rosie,
You might be interested in the Space to Earth Challenge, which is aimed at slightly older kids. More information can be found here http://www.spacetoearthchallenge.org.uk/
Hope that helps! If you have any questions, feel free to email education@ukspaceagency.bis.gsi.gov.uk
Comment by Tom posted on
Anything that adults can participate in?
Comment by Tatiana posted on
Hey Tom,
There's no specific programmes for adults to train like an astronaut in the UK. However, a team at MSSL are doing a variation of the Space to Earth challenge, i.e. running, cycling and swimming the distance to the ISS, to raise money for charity. http://www.spacetoearthchallenge.org.uk/