Dr. Christina Carmen (far right) and a her students will work on modeling the Gemini capsule for a space exploration flight geared toward education.

AIO-50 and UAHuntsville have taken the first step in AIO’s larger mission to launch the first-privately funded U.S. space expedition in history with a focus on education. AIO-50 delivered a 50-year-old boilerplate Gemini capsule to the UAHuntsville campus for students to use as a model for the actual Gemini IR.

“The technology to land the Gemini on the ground has been available for 50 years. We have access to the original blueprints - we just need private funding and now UAH, to make it work,” Russell says, “What university has a better understanding of developing space hardware than UAH?”

Russell said that this project fills a gap in space education.

“It has become almost impossible for students to get space science projects into orbit. UAH used to lead this charge but access has dwindled to virtually zero,” he said.

Irma Tuder, Chair of the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Board of Directors said that this event is yet another landmark in Huntsville’s long space history.

“It is so appropriate that our students here at UAHuntsville study our rich heritage of space exploration to help pave the way for the new landing and recovery systems for a 21st Century Gemini Improved-Reusable manned spacecraft,” Tuder said. “Our community is in many ways defined by the technology and the genius of those in Huntsville who helped put America into space and man on the moon. Since then this community has only added to its technology and space exploration foundation and UAHuntsville has been and will continue to be an essential part of that foundation.”

Dr. Christina Carmen, faculty member of MAE, will guide her students work on the modeling and engineering of the project.

“The students are excited about this opportunity. They are already talking among themselves about how to proceed.”

America’s Launch, the name of the project, is scheduled for February 20, 2012, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Friendship 7 mission.

Americans in Orbit - 50 Years is a non-profit organization committed to inspiring future generations in space exploration with a dedication to education.