Explorer Kirsty goes on out of this world trip to NASA

An Explorer Scout has had the chance to learn more about careers in space technology after being selected to take part in a once in a lifetime visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas.

Kirsty Mitchell, a member of the Cross Explorer Unit in Falkirk, was chosen for the opportunity after attending a week-long summer residential summer school at the Scottish Space School, an outreach programme run by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.

Participants are selected based on their performance on a range of activities, as well as their team working and leadership skills.

"The trip was incredibly eye opening in more ways than one. We had the pleasure of meeting Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise who gave a first-hand account of space travel and his career at NASA,” she said.

“We also got a backstage tour at the Johnston Space Centre for engineers who shared their experiences and showed us what it would be like to have a career at NASA. After seeing the jobs that are available with a degree in chemical engineering on this trip I am sure that I want to study chemical engineering, and I look forward to an innovative career."