Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31624: SSEP Mission 2: Launching Learning with Antares

The Antares mission, part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) Mission 2, empowered young learners across the United States to design and fly real microgravity experiments to the ISS. Developed under the guidance of the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE), this mission fostered a wave of student-led innovation and inquiry.

Led by Dr. Jeff Goldstein, the Antares mission gave hundreds of students hands-on research experience, from formulating hypotheses to constructing experiment protocols. Each experiment was designed to explore how microgravity affects biological and physical processes—from microbial growth and fluid dynamics to seed germination and crystal formation.

Teams submitted their proposals for competitive review, with selected experiments transported to the ISS via NanoRacks. Onboard, astronauts activated and monitored these student experiments, enabling authentic data collection in the unique microgravity environment.

Back on Earth, students compared space-grown samples to ground-based controls, analyzing differences and documenting findings. The experience culminated in research presentations, giving students the full experience of the scientific process—from conception to communication.

Antares was more than a science project—it was a platform for inspiration. It introduced students to the challenges and wonders of conducting research beyond our planet and highlighted the importance of international collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation.

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