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Astro-Pi Mission Zero
Our class contributed to the daily routine of the International Space Station by displaying our own personal message and the ambient air temperature on the Astro Pi. Mission Zero was launched by ESA Astronaut Paolo Nespoli alongside Mission Space Lab as part of the 2017-2018 European Astro Pi Challenge. For Mission Zero, over the past months our teams have been using the Astro Pi SenseHat emulator and have learnt to use the Python programming language in order to write and send code onto Astro Pi Ed and Astro Pi Izzy on the ISS. The codes were uplinked to the ISS and, from January until the end of February 2018 and they each run for 30 seconds. The astronauts on the ISS had the chance to read the personalised greetings written by the teams as well as the temperature readings in the space station programmed by the pupils and measured by the Astro Pi.
Walking at the footsteps of the giants
When exploring the moon or Mars, astronauts will complete many physical tasks such as setting up science experiments and power systems around the base and collecting rock samples. They will also walk or drive the rover long distances in order to explore the surface. If their rover breaks down, they must be able to walk up to a distance of 10 km back to their base station. Astronauts are examined by research scientists in NASA’s Cardiovascular Laboratory and they train with NASA strength and conditioning specialists to strengthen their lungs, hearts and other muscles before their mission. This helps NASA to know the crew member is physically prepared to complete their mission tasks and to perform a walk-back, if necessary. In this activity we performed a walk in the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens "Spiros Louis" , progressing to 1600 m to improve lung,heart, and other muscle endurance
Everybody, play ball !
Mass is the amount of matter an object is made of. It is always the same, but its weight changes depending where or on which planet it is. In this activity performed the same exercise with balls of different weights, as if we were in different gravitational onditions. We played with different kinds of balls to strengthen our arm and torso muscles and improve our coordination. As a space explorers of the future, are now prepared to deal with different gravity environments in our galaxy!
Astro-Course
Astronauts practice strength and agility through training exercises designed by NASA Astronaut Strength, Conditioning & Rehabilitation Specialists (ASCR). These fitness specialists conduct an annual fitness test, design individual exercise programs, and provide one-on-one pre-flight and post-flight conditioning activities for the astronauts. The agility we use every day on Earth is different from the agility used in space. Being in space over a period of time can affect
astronaut’s agility. This is observed once the astronauts return to Earth. Due to the astronauts living in microgravity environment and not using their muscles as they do on Earth, their muscles weaken. After they return from a long duration mission, astronauts work with ASCRs to restore and maintain agility as before their spaceflight mission.Soccer time
Astronauts know that it is important to safely strengthen their core muscles in order to protect themselves from injury. During our soccer game we :
...breathe normal throughout these physical activities
...concentrate on the core muscles
...move carefully until you become acquainted with the movement.
...stop immediately if you experience any pain or discomfort.
...avoid uneven surfaces playing soccer on a soft but firm surface.
