A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

A once in a lifetime opportunity. That's what I told people when asked about experiencing microgravity after my first flight in July 2014. The first moment you lift into the air and feel the weightlessness, the nervous energy as you're trying to complete the experiment amidst all the chaos, and the exchanged smiles between team members when you realize you have found your rhythm. It was a week I'd never forget. Then we got the call that NASA had decided to 'recycle' our technology and granted us an additional flight week in June 2015. So much for my once in a lifetime opportunity, right?

Preparation for the second round of flights came a little easier because we already knew what worked, and what could be improved. With the new trip came new challenges and additional responsibility, too. There were moments of panic when we didn't think the materials would arrive on time, snafus with airport luggage, and a lot of problem solving along the way. But we did it, again as a team, and my once in a lifetime opportunity had become more of a lifestyle with plans to fly again in October and the ultimate goal of sending our research to the International Space Station. I am so passionate about the work that we are doing, and so happy that this evolved into more than just a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our team throughout our journey, and stay tuned for more updates on our progress as we pursue our dreams.