A local volunteer with Lunar Mission One’s Global Space Programme is looking to raise awareness for Lunar Mission One (LM1) and engage schools in his home town and across County Durham with an educational space programme.
Jett Pease, 26, from Ferryhill, says that his goal is to build a legacy and help pilot an education programme within schools, colleges and groups in Ferryhill, Shildon, Bishop Auckland and across the rest of the county.
In November and December 2014, LM1 launched a kick starter campaign to secure funds to send a lunar spacecraft to the unexplored region of the south pole of the Moon in 2024.
The spacecraft will drill down to between 20-100 metres to collect and analyse lunar rock that is 4.5 billion years old.
It will also assess the Moon’s South Pole to see whether a future permanently-manned lunar base is feasible.
Exploring the moon in this way will provide us with a better understanding of the health hazards that need to be overcome and the opportunities for using surface materials to help sustain human habitation.
Investigating the moon’s deep space radio astronomy is also on the agenda and will provide a better picture of the Earth’s surrounding magnetic field when compared with alternative methods.
The mission will also see a digital memory box – filled with photos, videos, stories and even strands of hair from earth – buried on the moon forever.
This has been described as the 21st century equivalent of a time capsule, with the contents preserved for millions of years.
Jett is proud to be doing his part to promote LM1’s missions.
He said: “I recently emailed LM1 asking about becoming a volunteer. I said I didn’t live in London so I couldn’t be part of the office but asked if there was something I could do from home. It is amazing to be on board.”
Schools in Shildon that want to take part can email schools@lunarmissionone.com.
If they register their name, address and the details of a contact/coordinator, they will be added to the list of schools to participate in the programme and will be informed of details on how to get started in early May.
For more information, visit www.lunarmissionone.com.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
