SMPA students gathered to eagerly await the Launch of NASA’s Dragon Capsule rocket on Wednesday, October 5th. The students sat together in the Gathering Space watching a live stream of NASA’s coverage of the launch. The level of excitement to witness the launch remained high despite the fact that the effects of Hurricane Ian first postponed, and then cancelled, the original plans for SMPA students to go to Florida to watch this launch live from the Kennedy Space Center, through NASA’s Students to Launch program.
The students erupted with clapping and cheering as the announcer mentioned that, Nicole Aunapu Mann, the first Native American woman to lead a mission to space, was about to enter into space. A truly inspirational and historic moment for our students to witness.
At 12:01 pm the countdown began. As liftoff neared, students began chanting, “10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1!” The room again erupted into clapping and cheering as the rocket lifted off right before their eyes.
“I think the most exciting part was the countdown, because you’re just asking yourself, “What’s going to happen?” You just keep on imaging what you would do if you were one of the astronauts and wonder how they feel,” said Allison, Class of 2031. “It was inspiring. It felt amazing even though I wasn’t there to see it in person.”
When asked if she would ever like to visit space, Allison replied “I would like to go to our solar system first and visit the rings of Saturn. Seeing it in person would feel more powerful than seeing it in a book. I think they would be so much bigger in person!”
“I would name my rocket ship The Greek Goddess to represent wisdom,” said Allison. “For wisdom you have to have experience, and with experience you gain more wisdom.”
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