Benda graduates from astronaut training program

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 29 August 2007 09:38

Lonnie Benda, in astronaut gear, attended FATP this summer. Click image to enlarge

The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center graduated Lonnie Benda, son of Karen Benda, from Level 2 of its Future Astronaut Training Program this summer.

The camp builds on knowledge gained from FATP Level 1, also at the Cosmosphere.

The week-long astronaut camp is for students entering grades 7-10 and emphasizes teamwork, leadership and problem solving.

Developed by Cosmosphere staff, FATP is a nationally-recognized camp that motivates campers to seek careers in space-related industries.

FATP Level 2 incorporates aspects of astronaut training with advanced courses in space shuttle systems, earth observation, and microgravity science.

The camp capstone is a two-hour simulated space shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

FATP Level 2 participants receive advanced aviation training in F-101 and F-16 cockpits, build and launch large model rockets, undergo a full day of scuba training and underwater exercises and construct complex robots for a simulated Mars mission.

Campers also receive high and low ropes training, including a 30-foot climbing wall and zipline and visit the Cosmo­sphere’s Hall of Space Museum, which houses one of the world’s largest space artifact collections.