Featured photo of a Zero-G Jet by G.R. Mottez, Unsplash.
By Pat Stinson
Manistee resident Brooke Edwards, Freshwater Reporter’s space and astronomy columnist, hopes to win a seat on a zero-gravity flight in a competition offered by Space for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that gives citizens a glimpse of Earth from space through its Citizen Astronaut Program.
“I have entered (the contest) with the intention of bringing the story to Manistee,” Edwards wrote in a social media post that is part of the contest. “Being a writer, I play a part in people’s views of space exploration — not only for my online audience, but my local audience.”
The winner of the contest for the most creative social media post and reel will experience weightlessness when the Zero-G jet commissioned for the flight breaks free of Earth’s gravity. Edwards said she wants as many people as possible to see her post and reel on Instagram and Facebook, and “like” and “share” them by June 21, when the contest ends, so she may inspire others to reach their goals.
To like and share her Facebook post and view her reel, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/100002684795628/videos/966862064292480/.
To do the same on Instagram, go to: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtpO00Zx2d6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
In an email reply to this reporter, she wrote: “I want to not only spread space science in Manistee, but show what is possible. You don’t have to be a scientist, engineer, or even a millionaire to be involved in space.”
The Space for Humanity’s website states that the winner of the zero-g flight contest will “take a giant leap towards overview,” referring to the overview effect, a shift in perspective that happens once a person has viewed Earth from space.
In her post, Edwards said she wants to promote STEAM, which includes the arts as well as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“There are so many ways to be involved in space -– just doing what you are talented in and what makes you happy,” she wrote.
She added that she would like the experience of writing a paragraph while in zero-g.
Space for Humanity’s goal, as stated on its website, is to fly citizens to space with leadership skills, demonstrated community involvement and a commitment to its mission, so they may communicate the “overview” experience to others in the hope of a global “ripple effect.”
The Citizen Astronaut Program is one step beyond the zero-g flight offered by the contest. Edwards said the program has sent two engineers to space so far. Funding is obtained from “donors, corporate sponsors, and grants,” according to information found on the organization’s website.
To learn more about the Denver-based nonprofit, visit: spaceforhumanity.org
READ STORIES BY OR ABOUT BROOKE EDWARDS HERE
