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 “FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE, LAUNCH!”, and the probe to Comet CAP was on its way as Civil Air Patrol cadets and officers got the opportunity to work together at Challenger’s Mission Control and in the International Space Station (ISS) March 20th. Twenty members of Milwaukee Composite Squadron #5 along with First Lieutenant Kathleen Dugas from Racine Composite Squadron and Major Ron Sorenson from SE Wisconsin Group, traveled to the Challenger Learning Center in Woodstock, Illinois courtesy of a grant from Air Force Association Billy Mitchell Chapter #247, to find out more about the space program. 
Working in teams the twelve cadets and ten officers manned posts such as communications, data, navigation, and medical, among others. Probe teams worked in tandem: Mission Control told their counterparts on the International Space Station how to assemble and test the probe from a batch of items identified in their Clean Room only by part number. Some team members aboard the ISS used robotic arms to move items remotely or handled samples with their arms in sterile “glove boxes”. Teams used their headsets and task sheets to communicate with partners in a separate section of the facility amid a constant chatter of announcements blasting overhead from the communications team. Everything was on a countdown clock. Only after they experienced it did they understand why one of the requirements for most of the teams was a“high frustration tolerance”! Everyone learned that all the teams were necessary to locate the comet, launch the probe, and analyze the data while keeping astronauts on the space station alive and in communication with Mission Control on Earth.
 Once aboard the ISS, Commander Sherry had her entire team make several promises among which were the promise to do their best and above all, to have FUN! Time and tasks passed quickly when suddenly a lost air filter caused flashing red lights and a warning that only five minutes of oxygen remained aboard the space station! Calm and resourceful cadets found the missing filter with two minutes to spare. Cadet Hubbard said the meteorite shower aboard the space station was the most fun. Announcements blared and the crew took cover under their stations. Then, loud crackles and bangs sounded as if meteorites were really hitting outside metal walls before an all clear was sounded. He also said that using the robotic arm to move the panels was the hardest thing he had to do. 
Mission Control and ISS Commanders from the Challenger staff were Commander Emily Gibson and Commander Sherry Mesick, respectively. Both are former teachers with more than twenty five years experience each. Although the weekly programs are for grade school age students, it is adaptable and can be made challenging enough so that all can find success at their tasks. Commander Sherry stated that she had never heard so many people call her “Ma’am” in all her life, but she loved it. “If you come back again, let me know and I’ll be here in a flash,” she said. Commenting on the variety of skills needed for the tasks, Commander Emily stated that, “If we know what they need ahead of time and if you provide someone who can read to work with them we can accommodate nearly everyone.” She also said that the program is set up so “wherever you are [in the station] you should feel success”.
In addition to Commander Emily and Commander Sherry, a young college freshman, Volunteer Christina Aguilar, was on hand to assist the probe team in the clean room aboard the ISS. Ms. Aguilar first came to Challenger Learning Center as a fifth grader and said, “I remember thinking I was really in space!” She was the first of more than a dozen Challenger alumni to be a McHenry County College Promise Program volunteer.
The realism of the surroundings, enhanced by a major remodeling project that has just been completed, is stunning. Weighing objects on gram scales, using robotic arms, glove boxes, communications equipment, and keyboards linked to overhead status boards with instant results made for an exciting, fun-filled morning.
 Commander Steve Otten, the Center’s Executive Director, said the teamwork and maturity he saw in our cadets made him very pleased to host another Civil Air Patrol unit for a visit and he looked forward to seeing us again. We hope to factor this experience into future plans so that every two years a new group of cadets from our squadron can visit the center, face these challenges, and think about possible careers in space.
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All photos by Lt Col Jo Stys, CAP
Group Photo
Back row, left to right: 2nd Lt Adam Mutchler, C/Amn Jeremy Ratka, C/SSgt Chinedu Ozodi, Maj Ron Sorenson (SE Group), Lt Col Julie Anne Sorenson, Lt Col Carol Sims, 1st Lt Kathleen Dugas (Racine Comp Sqdrn), C/Amn Christopher Sorenson, Maj Sylvester Sims, Maj Roy Seymer Front Row, left to right: C/A1C Adam Fleming, C/Amn Danielle Sorenson, C/Amn Zachary Lolar, C/SSgt Christian Tipton, C/SSgt Jesse Hubbard, C/Amn Chidibele Ozodi, C/Amn Jasmine Grant, C/Amn Katelyn Kraus, Lt Col Danielle Michaels, Lt Col Jo Stys, and Squadron Commander, Capt Glen Hutchison.
ISO Stations 02 & 03 - In the rear Lt Col Julie Anne Sorenson works with C/Amn Danielle Sorenson while C/SSgt Jesse Hubbard checks his task book before grasping the robotic arm controllers.
C/SSGT Chinedu Ozodi at the probe assembly. He relied on messages from Mission Control to build the probe.
Challenger Commander Emily briefs the Mission Control crew on what to expect from the status board and how communications will be heard. Captain Hutchison is at the Navigation station in the rear with C/Amn Katelyn Kraus at medical ready to request physical tests from her teammate on the ISS.
Space station crew gather anxiously with Commander Sherry at the Comm station as C/Amn Chris Sorenson (seated) receives the analysis of probe data from Mission Control.
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