large view "Meatball" logo

("James Madison Space Administration" - Tempe, AZ)-- Our first STS-1 five-hour long space shuttle mission was a success!

The design was to have students execute blast-off and orbit entry, satellite deployment, space station docking, re-entry, and finally the landing of the JMPS shuttle Exploration. There were educational tasks and two surprise "emergencies" performed during the mission.

We set up a mission control, and a mock-up of a shuttle cabin and nose cone. Since the real OV (orbital vehicle) is over 122 feet long and 56 feet high, we made some necessary alterations in scale!

We used the Orbiter software as our central mission platform. I've placed a URL for it in the "Links" section.

The flight crew was selected well in advance so duties could be assigned and preparations made.

All 8th grade students were expected to participate in some way.

Mission launch dates and times were announced so that families, friends, and other students could observe the fun! Our goal was to provide a safe and exciting educational experience!

Enjoy some photo highlights from STS-1...

large view Some preliminary scribbles	large view STS software by Orbiter
large view Virtual cockpit	large view JMPS Mission Control software written on Excel
large view Students helping to reassemble orbiter	large view Starting to take shape again
large view Almost ready!	large view Happy 8th graders!
large view Planning meetings	large view Practicing tasks and procedures
large view Crew photo op	large view Tours of the cabin
large view Prelaunch excitement	large view View from mission control
large view Mission going well	large view Hugs after a 5-hour mission
large view Smiles say their hard work was worth it!

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