Moon Ambassador Academy 2000

Challenger Learning Center of Arizona is very proud to present the crew of the first "Return to the Moon" mission to be flown at our Center. These cadets were each outstanding, and each was vital to the success of the mission. The crew was divided into three teams and was trained in three areas critical to the performance of the mission: astrogation, life sciences, and geology. During the course of the mission, the spacecraft encountered several in-flight emergencies, and the crew pulled together their expertise to resolve the problems and continue the mission to a successful landing of the Lunar Colony Module.

THE CREW

Team Tycho

Team Kepler

Team Plato

THE TRAINING

The crew was trained by four top-notch instructors. Each day, team members studied one of three fields, each vital to the mission. In addition to the three main areas, each day emphasized teamwork, communication, and problem solving — all essential skills to reach the Moon.

ASTROGATION

In the astrogation course, each cadet learned the fundamental properties of orbital mechanics, including:

The cadets discovered the answers to each of these questions through their own investigations and observations. The culmination of the course was the successful launching of several different types of model rockets, including one carrying an on-board camera in its nose cone. Shown below are actual in-flight photos taken by the cadets’ AstroCam rocket:

LIFE SCIENCES

The life sciences course prepared the cadets for the physiological realities of spaceflight. Cadets learned to perform vital medical and life support system test — many of which were used on-board the spacecraft to monitor the health of the crew and the spacecraft itself — as well as numerous experiments which tested the human body’s physiological response to the stress.

The cadets not only conducted explorations to answer all of these questions, they learned the mathematical skills, such as averaging and graphing, they needed to accurately characterize their results and conclusions.

LUNAR GEOLOGY

No one can expect to travel to the Moon without having a firm idea of what he or she will find there. The geology course provided this essential information which was of special use to the navigation team (in identifying possible landing sites) as well as the Remote Team (who handled samples of lunar rocks and regolith recovered by the Probe Team). Specific areas of investigation included:

The cadets received a rather vivid illustration of how craters form when they created their own craters by dropping various types of rocks upon a simulated lunar terrain. The knowledge the cadets gained in this course was put to good use in determining the final site for the first lunar colony.

THE MISSION

The mission was a total success: based upon data received in-flight from a retrieved probe which had been stranded in Earth orbit, the crew chose a landing site for the first lunar colony, navigated the spacecraft into lunar orbit, and brought the ship down safely for a successful landing. Accomplishing this mission was neither simple nor routine, however. A number of in-flight emergencies developed which forced the crew to react quickly and as a team in order to resolve them. One of the most serious emergencies encountered was a faulty LiOH canister (used to scrub carbon dioxide from the spacecraft’s atmosphere). With the carbon dioxide levels rising, the crew decided upon a "free-return orbit" scenario, similar to that used by the Apollo 13 crew. The first crew quickly returned to Earth for the needed parts, and a relief crew was sent to continue the mission. Without the contribution of each and every team member, both on board the spacecraft and in mission control, the mission had no chance of success whatsoever. The successful landing was a tribute to the crew’s teamwork and skill. Below are photos taken during the course of the mission, which show highlights from this historic flight.

Mission Control for "Return to the Moon"

The Commander briefs the crew just prior to separation from the ISS.

Communications Officer Kaitlyn McCanna maintains the link to the spacecraft.

Remote Team Geologists Kenny Molnar and Anthony DalSoglio study lunar regolith samples, while Life Support Systems Engineer Jordan Thorlin confers with the Commander.

Navigation Officers Amber Whalen and Jonathon Gelbart run simulations to determine the proper thrust for landing, while Medical Officer Robinson Maynes receives data on the crew.

Navigation Officers Robbie Kissinger and J.T. Irvine consult with LCDR Gayle Glusman about possible alternate landing sites, as Data Officer Julie Swarstad sends their results to Mission Control.

Life Support Systems Engineer Alexandria Gendreau helps deal with an emergency on board the spacecraft, while Remote Team Geologists Mason Conley and Brittny Oxford work to choose a landing site for the colony.

Probe Construction Team members Aaron Zint and Rosie Zwart watch the LCEM launch along with Medical Officer Kelly Almassy.

A Personal Note from the Commander:

"I would like to take this opportunity to state just how proud I am of this particular crew. Never in my experience have I worked with a more talented and motivated team. It is my hope that you will continue to expand your skills and knowledge and go on to reach even greater accomplishments. I hope you will all keep in touch — I’ll fly with you anytime."