'Dream come true' for young GTA students controlling moon rover in simulated space mission
A group of Grade 6 students in Mississauga put their heads together for a simulated space mission where they remote controlled a rover to find ice on the moon.
“It feels really good,” said Aubrey Smale, who acted as a rover heath monitor during the mission. “When I was really little, I wanted to do stuff like this and it’s like a dream come true.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The students attend Lisgar Middle School and are the youngest group to take part in a national space competition dubbed the “Lunar Rover Research Challenge.”
The goal of the simulation is to find ice, and therefore water, on the moon, just like real scientists. The difference is that these students control their rover in Stratford, Ont. with their classroom acting as mission control.
“I feel like ‘Oh My God. I can’t believe I’m a part of the space mission,” said payload operator Nandan Namburi.
The classroom has been set up to divide students into groups, each with a speciality critical to the mission.
Some students plan the rover’s route, others remote-control the machine, while teams keep checking to make sure the rover is working properly and gather vital information about everything from temperature to craters.
“It’s hard, but it’s very exciting and stressful at the same time. So we really enjoy it,” said Prisha Agarwal, one of the rover drivers.
The competition is run through the charity Let’s Talk Science, Canadensys Aerospace Corporation and Avalon Space, with support from the Canadian Space.
In all, more than 16,000 youths took part.
“Amazing experience,” said Jack Suleman, one of the navigators. “Hard work pays off. All the time we spent making the applications, and now we reap the benefits.”
Students at Lisgar Middle School in Mississauga, Ont. participate in the Lunar Rover Research Challenge on Jan. 16, 2024.
Many of these students already had an interest in space prior to winning the competition and are part of Peel District School Board’s international business and technology program.
The challenge is an exercise full of learning and fun.
“It’s loud, it’s stressful and that’s exactly what we want, it’s a space mission right?” said Leah Davis-Purcell, a mission systems and outreach specialist with Avalon Space.
“The main point of it is communication, using a decision making process, using the logic, the shadows, the sun, where the ice would be.”
It took two hours for the students to complete the mission.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Manitoba man sentenced to house arrest for keeping fishing tournament funds meant for Children's Hospital Foundation
A Manitoba man who pleaded guilty to keeping the funds raised from an ice-fishing fundraiser for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has been handed a sentence of 18 months house arrest.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.