Space Station Alpha glides in orbit two hundred and fifty miles above the Earth. Outside of the Earth’s protective atmosphere, the Sun is both friend and enemy. The sun's friendly rays bathe the Space Station's wing-like solar panels, generating vital electrical energy for the Station's life support systems. At the same time, dangerous solar storms shower the Station's fragile human cargo with ionized particles, x-rays, and gamma rays.

Managing the Space Station’s life-sustaining systems requires teamwork, planning, and clear-headed problem-solving ability -- especially in emergency situations. To help in this ongoing challenge, Challenger's Mission Control enlists engineers and teams of mission specialists, just like the students in your class, to help solve problems and avoid catastrophes.

Your class can apply to be a part of e-Mission: Space Station Alpha. We are looking for problem-solvers, for students who can think "outside of the box," who are willing to learn and apply basic math and science skills to challenging real-life problems. Apply to Challenger Mission Control today, and you may qualify to become Mission Specialists and fly e-Mission: Space Station Alpha.

Photographic essay of construction of ISS in space, stage by stage, with shuttle attached, etc. Lay it out by flights.