FLVS Attends SpaceX CRS-6 Cargo Launch Mission

On April 12-13, 2015, FLVS had the privilege of going on a behind-the-scenes tour at Kennedy Space Center and sharing the experience with our students.

During the virtual field trip, followers of our FLVS Twitter account were able to tune in live for video streaming made possible with the new social app, Periscope.

While anyone can watch streams broadcasted via Twitter on their desktop or mobile device, users with the mobile Periscope app were also able to post questions in real time. We were honored to have viewers from around the world engage with us throughout the event!

If you missed it, don’t worry. Check out the videos in our recap below.

The goal of the SpaceX CRS-6 mission was to provide new supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).

The payload for the Dragon space capsule consisted of more than 4,300 pounds of supplies, including water and food for the astronauts currently aboard the ISS. Thankfully, this water will last quite a while. Did you know that water recovery systems are in place to reclaim 70-80 percent of the water on the station? As NASA prepares for even longer missions into deep space, this is a figure they hope will soon be even higher.

The secondary payload aboard the Dragon capsule included more than 40 experiments and a number of interesting materials for science research. One such material was that of synthetic muscle being developed for future space exploration and/or astronaut protection that could also have applications for innovation in the prosthetic industry here on Earth. Even high school students were able to send up select science projects!

Mice were also aboard for studies to better understand how microgravity affects bone density and bodily health. Hopefully rodent research in space will lead to new insights for treating osteoporosis and muscle deterioration.

What would you send to the space station to study?

Learn more about the projects and science behind the CRS-6 ISS Cargo mission in this video from the ISS National Lab Panel:

While the launch was originally scheduled for 4:33 p.m. on Monday, April 13, weather concerns postponed it to the next day. Of course it’s no easy business trying to rendezvous with the ISS as it circles the earth every 92 minutes. Check out the Prelaunch News Conference on NASA TV with SpaceX VP of Mission Assurance, the deputy ISS Program Manager, and the Launch Weather Officer to see what’s involved.

Of course, we know what everyone really loves to see is the actual launch. This video offers some impressive close-up footage of the Falcon 9 rocket soaring into space:

View more amazing photos of the entire experience courtesy of a fellow NASA Social attendee, Sky Noir Photography, here.

Tell us your suggestions for future virtual field trips!

Were you able to tune in live for any of last week’s tours or the launch mission? We would love to hear your feedback and ideas for future live video events! Please share them in the comments.