Some Austin-area students have lost their science experiment in the weekend explosion of the unmanned SpaceX rocket after a launch from Florida.
But the students will still head to Washington, D.C. for a conference on Thursday to present the science behind their project examining what happens to algae during a lack of gravity, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
SpaceX works with schools across the country and picks a handful of science projects that students want to be conducted in space. The experiment crafted by the Eanes school district students joined others from 25 schools and education organizations, including groups from San Antonio, Burleson and Pharr.
The SpaceX rocket carrying supplies to the International Space Station broke apart Sunday shortly after liftoff. It was the third cargo mission to fail in eight months.
NASA officials said they have enough supplies for the three-person crew on board the station to last till October and still plan to send three more crewmembers up in a late July launch. NASA likes to have a six-month cushion of food and water, but is now down to four months.
"Our students have worked very hard to prepare for this mission and are very disappointed but understand that mechanical failures are part of the space program," said Jerri LaMirand, who manages the partnership between SpaceX and West Ridge Middle School in the Eanes district.
