Space-obsessed schoolgirl sends time capsule into orbit
- 4 months ago
A space-obsessed British schoolgirl sent a time capsule into orbit - on the first US commercial launch to the Moon.
The Vulcan Centaur rocket took off from Florida yesterday (Monday) containing a time capsule belonging to Elizabeth Norman, from Leicester.
The 10-year-old secured the spot on the voyage after catching the eye of space bosses with her own backyard rocket launch.
Elizabeth, from Leicester, made a model of the Vulcan Centaur and launched it 30ft in the air in her garden a few years ago.
She then uploaded a video to Twitter - @AstroLizsLab - where it was seen by senior staff at the United Launch Alliance (ULA).
ULA - a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin - are behind the Vulcan Centaur rocket.
It successfully launched from Cape Canaveral at 7:18GMT, carrying the Peregrine lunar lander.
However, an "ongoing propellant leak" means the lander will not reach the surface of the moon but the mission is to get the Peregrine "as close to the lunar distance as we can".
Elizabeth placed a sticker saying 'Astro Liz' - the name of her blog - and a message for her brother inside her capsule.
Mum Jennifer Norman, 37, said: "We’re incredibly grateful to Astrobotic and ULA for believing in Elizabeth and her dream as much as we do.
“None of us, including her, could ever have imagined that her dream would take off so rapidly.
“We can’t even put it into words because it’s so surreal that it’s actually happened.
"Congratulations ULA and Astrobotic. Thank you so much for taking Elizabeth on this journey with you."
Elizabeth’s passion for space took off after watching coverage of NASA’s Perseverance Rover being sent to Mars in July 2020.
She threw herself into learning all about space - including working on several remote NASA projects.
With the help of Jennifer and dad Steve Norman, 51, she's always got multiple science experiments on the go.
She set up a science-themed YouTube channel in July 2020, where she uploads educational videos.
But things really kicked off for the budding astronaut after she decided to make a model of the ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket out of cardboard.
Her prep caught the eye of Tory Bruno, the CEO of ULA.
He watched the launch of her seven-foot cardboard version of the rocket sent to the Moon - as it sailed 30ft into the air, impressing Elizabeth's neighbours.
So impressed, he reached out and asked if she could be part of the real launch.
Jennifer said: “We are overwhelmingly grateful to Astrobotic for providing the opportunity for Elizabeth to launch her space dream and send her very own payload to the Moon.
"This is not only a chance for her to achieve her mission but also to show other young people that a future in space is within their grasp and big adventures can start at any age.”
“At a time when humans are daring to dream of a future beyond our home planet, Astrobotic has given our child the chance to show a new generation that dream is within reach.
“We are immensely proud of Elizabeth’s efforts in not only pursuing her space dreams but inspiring and supporting other young people to find their place in space.
"It has been incredible watching her help children in the community access the resources they need to launch into their own adventures.”
To mark the occasion, Jennifer, Steve, Elizabeth and her brother William, 11, watched live and did a countdown to the big moment.
“Go Vulcan! Go Peregrine! Go Astro Liz" Elizabeth shouted as ULA Mission Control commenced the launch countdown.
Steve said: “It’s such a privilege to get to witness this mission launch, let alone to experience Elizabeth’s payload on its way to the Moon.”
Of the 20 payloads that Peregrine is carrying, five are NASA science instruments. The other 15 come from a range of customers - including Elizabeth.
Jennifer said: "Elizabeth's goal is to help other kids find their place in space.
"She is hoping that this is the start of kids being able to see that there is a place for them in space."
Speaking on X, Elizabeth said: "Big hug, Peregrine! I’m with you to the end and tonight my hometown of Leicester celebrates the Astrobotic mission, that of ULA and the incredible teams that worked so hard to get us this far! Love from Liz."
The Vulcan Centaur rocket took off from Florida yesterday (Monday) containing a time capsule belonging to Elizabeth Norman, from Leicester.
The 10-year-old secured the spot on the voyage after catching the eye of space bosses with her own backyard rocket launch.
Elizabeth, from Leicester, made a model of the Vulcan Centaur and launched it 30ft in the air in her garden a few years ago.
She then uploaded a video to Twitter - @AstroLizsLab - where it was seen by senior staff at the United Launch Alliance (ULA).
ULA - a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin - are behind the Vulcan Centaur rocket.
It successfully launched from Cape Canaveral at 7:18GMT, carrying the Peregrine lunar lander.
However, an "ongoing propellant leak" means the lander will not reach the surface of the moon but the mission is to get the Peregrine "as close to the lunar distance as we can".
Elizabeth placed a sticker saying 'Astro Liz' - the name of her blog - and a message for her brother inside her capsule.
Mum Jennifer Norman, 37, said: "We’re incredibly grateful to Astrobotic and ULA for believing in Elizabeth and her dream as much as we do.
“None of us, including her, could ever have imagined that her dream would take off so rapidly.
“We can’t even put it into words because it’s so surreal that it’s actually happened.
"Congratulations ULA and Astrobotic. Thank you so much for taking Elizabeth on this journey with you."
Elizabeth’s passion for space took off after watching coverage of NASA’s Perseverance Rover being sent to Mars in July 2020.
She threw herself into learning all about space - including working on several remote NASA projects.
With the help of Jennifer and dad Steve Norman, 51, she's always got multiple science experiments on the go.
She set up a science-themed YouTube channel in July 2020, where she uploads educational videos.
But things really kicked off for the budding astronaut after she decided to make a model of the ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket out of cardboard.
Her prep caught the eye of Tory Bruno, the CEO of ULA.
He watched the launch of her seven-foot cardboard version of the rocket sent to the Moon - as it sailed 30ft into the air, impressing Elizabeth's neighbours.
So impressed, he reached out and asked if she could be part of the real launch.
Jennifer said: “We are overwhelmingly grateful to Astrobotic for providing the opportunity for Elizabeth to launch her space dream and send her very own payload to the Moon.
"This is not only a chance for her to achieve her mission but also to show other young people that a future in space is within their grasp and big adventures can start at any age.”
“At a time when humans are daring to dream of a future beyond our home planet, Astrobotic has given our child the chance to show a new generation that dream is within reach.
“We are immensely proud of Elizabeth’s efforts in not only pursuing her space dreams but inspiring and supporting other young people to find their place in space.
"It has been incredible watching her help children in the community access the resources they need to launch into their own adventures.”
To mark the occasion, Jennifer, Steve, Elizabeth and her brother William, 11, watched live and did a countdown to the big moment.
“Go Vulcan! Go Peregrine! Go Astro Liz" Elizabeth shouted as ULA Mission Control commenced the launch countdown.
Steve said: “It’s such a privilege to get to witness this mission launch, let alone to experience Elizabeth’s payload on its way to the Moon.”
Of the 20 payloads that Peregrine is carrying, five are NASA science instruments. The other 15 come from a range of customers - including Elizabeth.
Jennifer said: "Elizabeth's goal is to help other kids find their place in space.
"She is hoping that this is the start of kids being able to see that there is a place for them in space."
Speaking on X, Elizabeth said: "Big hug, Peregrine! I’m with you to the end and tonight my hometown of Leicester celebrates the Astrobotic mission, that of ULA and the incredible teams that worked so hard to get us this far! Love from Liz."