The North Idaho STEM Charter Academy was the only high school issued into this round and had an initial launch scheduled for 2017 . Delays occurred and they completed launch in December 2018 on a new style of research-based rocket by Rocket Labs , from a point in the South Pacific .
The rocket is much smaller than those launching missions to the International Space Station . It is called “ Electron ” and is Rocket Labs ’ first 3D printed engine that operates with oxygen and kerosene . It is 56 feet tall ( 17 meters ), as opposed to the Delta Heavy rocket standing at 236 feet tall ( 72 meters ), and carries a payload of 330-495 pounds ( 150-225 kg ). The rocket is supported by the private sector and accepts research payloads from educational and commercial organizations .
The breadbox
An exploratory video of the program via NASA Kennedy ’ s YouTube . com page called “ NASA ’ s ELaNa-19 : Small Satellite , Big Dreams ,” illustrates that the “ Educational Launch of Nano Satellites ( ELaNa ) are compact satellites that pack a lot of science into the size of a slice of bread .” They are revolutionizing space research ,” a spokesperson said . “ Instead of having a launch for a primary mission every two to five years , the goal is to develop launches in a regular cadence for regular access to orbit .”
DaVinci is designed to connect with students around the world while broadcasting education-related messages using Morse code .
“ The concept is like the Ovaltine messages of yesteryear where listeners would receive and decode messages on the weekly broadcast ,” says Jessica Millard , student project coordinator , DaVinci . The message at the time of this writing was , “ Thank you NASA .”
8 LET ’ S GO AEROSPACE