(Above) Joshua Ellis leads the NASA team of Shuttle STS-119 across the road into MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry). Picture © MOSI
The crew of the latest Discovery Space Shuttle mission visited the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester last night to launch their educational mission to the UK.
They recently returned from the International Space Station and are in Britain to inspire the nation's budding young astronauts and share information about their work in space.
The NASA team of shuttle STS-119, led by Mission Commander Lee Archambault, met schoolchildren to give them first-hand details about their mission, including eating, resting and sleepwalking in space.
The aim of the educational mission is to inspire young people in inner city areas to follow their ambitions and consider studying subjects such as maths, science and engineering.
(Above) NASA astronauts Dominic A. Antonelli and Steve Swanson with Joshua Ellis, 13, from Manchester Grammar School. Picture © MOSI
"Astronauts have to be the ultimate modern heroes, as space travel is the classic example of pushing your boundaries and realising your most daring ambitions," said Chris Barber, Director of the International Space School Education Trust. "Our trust aims to motivate young people with the NASA 'you can do it' spirit."
The Discovery Crew will be going on to visit Skipton, Newcastle, Gateshead and Tyneside on July 7-10 2009.
For more information on the astronauts' visit to the UK, visit the International Space School Education Trust online.
