It’s been a wild and exciting ride these last few weeks at DreamUp. We’ve seen two successful launches, delivered over 45 DreamUp educational research experiments to the International Space Station and welcomed a top educational advisor to the DreamUp team.
Launches and Research
We’ve had two successful launches in just three weeks – Orbital ATK CRS-6 and SpaceX CRS-8. Both of their respective cargo vehicles, Cygnus and Dragon, have berthed with the International Space Station, delivering over 45 DreamUp educational research experiments.
The April 8th SpaceX-8 launch carried 25 student experiments from the Student Spaceflight Experiment Program (SSEP), a number of which were reflights from the lost SpaceX-7 Mission. One SSEP student in particular, Rachel Lindbergh, lost her research on both SpaceX-7 and the earlier lost vehicle – Orbital CRS-3. She joined us at Cape Canaveral with hopeful eyes set on the SpaceX-8 launch. Rachel embodies the true spirit of perseverance – recognizing that spaceflight has its complications and setbacks, but that with hard work and dedication, you can ultimately accomplish your goals. We are thrilled Rachel was able to attend all three launches with us and that with SpaceX-8, third time’s a charm, culminating with a beautiful on-time launch and a spectacular first-stage landing at sea.
All DreamUp research is made possible by the hard work and tireless attention to detail of the staff at our launch services provider, NanoRacks LLC. NanoRacks’ Internal Payloads Manager Mary Murphy and Chief Scientist Carl Carruthers worked day and night at Kennedy Space Center to ensure the proper delivery and handover of our student experiments in preparation for launch. Keep your eyes open for our next newsletter where we’ll be taking you behind the scenes at Kennedy Space Center, and showing you how the magic happens.
myLAUNCH
Rachel and other DreamUp student researchers enjoyed this launch experience as part of “myLAUNCH”, a VIP opportunity for students, mentors, teachers, and family members at the launch of their payload. The experience includes tours of Kennedy Space Center, entrance to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex, special launch viewing, and access to professional networking events. We offer not just a payload, but a complete and engaging STEAM program, where students see the magic of space both in and outside the classroom.
The recent SpaceX and Orbital ATK launches were the first two myLAUNCH experiences offered by DreamUp since announcing in December that we’re a Public Benefits Corporation. DreamUp hosted nearly 100 guests across both launches.
Advisory Board member Bart Epstein
DreamUp’s recent growth stems not only from these launches. Our students learn from and rely upon the most accomplished and dedicated advisors, and we do as well. DreamUp is honored to announce that Bart Epstein, a luminary in the educational community and CEO of the Jefferson Education Accelerator & Managing Director of the Jefferson Education Fund, is the inaugural member to the DreamUp Board of Advisors.
Bart has been building, operating, and advising high growth companies for more than twenty years. Before launching Jefferson Education, Bart helped build Tutor.com into the world’s largest online tutoring and homework help service, serving as its Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Chief Strategy Officer. Bart previously served as Master Teacher and Director of Field Operations for The Princeton Review. Additionally, Bart was a corporate attorney at one of the largest law firms in the world, Latham & Watkins, helping companies negotiate, structure, and close numerous mergers and acquisitions, including the sale of DIRECTV from General Motors to News Corporation.
Bart is a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight and a civilian evaluation pilot for NASA human factors research, as well as a Research Associate Professor at the University of Virginia Curry School of Education. DreamUp is thrilled to have Bart on board.
We remain dedicated to bringing the classroom into space, and space into the classroom and look forward to growing our organization with your engagement and support.
Ad Astra,
The DreamUp Team
