Ralston Freshman Takes Interest in Space to New Heights
When schools start in a couple weeks, Brenden Cunningham is going to have a great answer to the inevitable question, “what did you do this summer?”
The Ralston High School freshman first became interested in space from watching space launches as a kid, and this summer turned that into action, attending three space camp programs in two states.
Cunningham attended Space Academy and Aviation Challenge Mach II at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, as well as Mission: Astro Lab at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas.
These camps all had different focuses, but all gave attendees knowledge and experiences they couldn’t get elsewhere.
In Hutchinson, campers got a taste of training for weightlessness with a scuba course.
After learning the basics, campers did an activity where campers had to perform tasks where they would pass PVC pipe underwater and have tasks to perform to mimic a similar situation in space.
He also used Mission Control Center and the Astralis capsule-based simulator – modeled after NASA’s Orion capsule – to complete a simulated mission. Campers also performed practical tasks like medical flight tests, programming robots, using virtual reality technology and even a mock press conference.
Cunningham also got to experience a Russian Soyuz Spacecraft and the 4-G Centrifuge.
After that, it was off to Alabama where Cunningham attended the Space Academy camp and served as commander of simulated space missions to the International Space Station and Mars.
“The Space Camp is still funded by NASA, so they can do a lot more (than the Cosmosphere),” Cunningham said. “They have a massive mockup of the ISS (module) and entire modules you can go in.”
He also got to try the 1/6 Gravity Simulator, a Multi-Access Trainer and a G-Force Accelerator, among other activities.
The Aviation Challenge focused on military aviation and the innerworkings that go into flight.
Cunningham liked the scuba and Mars simulation the best in terms of activities, while meeting astronauts Wendy Lawrence, Robert “Hoot” Gibson and a crew that is going to space topped the list.
“I met two astronauts and a crew that is not in space yet, but will be,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham attended the Space Academy and Mission: Astro Lab on full-tuition scholarships, which were awarded based on answering essay questions, completing a project, designing a mission patch, submitting a report card and letters of recommendation.
Brenden knows he wants to continue his passion for space, but he is leaving the door open as to what specifically he wants to do.
“There’s a lot of career opportunities in space and aviation, but I think if I narrow it down it would probably be something relating to the science aspect of all this,” Cunningham said.
For more information about the various Space Camp programs available — including one aimed at adults — visit spacecamp.com. Scholarship opportunities are also available for Space Camp applicants ages 9 to 18.
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