SEND YOUR NAME TO SPACE

Have you ever wanted to own something that has flown in space aboard the International Space Station? Well, now you can!

MISSION UPDATES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

On 20th February 2021, alongside our flight partner, we launched a payload up to the International Space Station aboard the Northrop Grumman NG-15 spacecraft, otherwise known as the S.S. Katherine Johnson (after the famed NASA mathematician and "Hidden Figure"). The payload will orbit outside of the ISS for six months and will be exposed to the extreme environment of space throughout the mission! The payload contains custom name patches, international flags, and NASA pins. And the best part? You can own one!

How does it work?

Before launch, the contents of our payload are integrated into the carriers in a class 10k clean room, where any residual contamination is removed from the contents using a thermal vacuum chamber. When the payload is flight certified, it is loaded onto the rocket and launches into space.

After being launched into space, the payload is installed on the MISSE tray by the crew of the space station. The payload then exits the airlock, and once outside, the robotic arm picks up the payload and maneuvers into position aboard the MISSE testing facility, which is near the ISS solar arrays, where it will orbit Earth for around six months.

During this period, the payload and its contents are exposed to the extreme environment of space. This exposure includes the extreme temperatures of outer space, as well as electromagnetic radiation such as x-ray, proton, neutron, gamma and cosmic rays, microgravity, and the vacuum of space. Then after its 75 million mile journey is complete, the payload is retrieved once more by the robotic arm and then returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. Then, when all of the final return checks and procedures are completed, we send it straight to your door.

What can I send up into space?

Given the weight and size restrictions of sending a payload into space, we are offering a limited amount of people the chance to send up a custom embroidered patch bearing your name or initials, as well as country, state, and various other 6" x 4" flags. All of the flight options are available below, so take a look and choose wisely!

• 8th April 2021: JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi installed the carriers in preparation for deployment outside the ISS

JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi installed the MISSE Science Carriers (MSC), the MISSE Power & Data Box (MP&D), and the MISSE Switch Box (MSB) on the MISSE Transfer Tray (MTT) in preparation for deployment on the MISSE-FF outside of the International Space Station. Installation of the MISSE carrier that contains our payload is due for deployment between 20th-24th April. Images of Soichi Noguchi installing the MSC's are available <a title="SpaceX MISSE Payload Deployment" href="https://www.thespacecollective.com/us/send-your-name-to-space" target="_blank">here</a>.

• 22nd February 2021: Cygnus NG-15 (S.S. Katherine Johnson) Docked Successfully with the ISS

The Cygnus NG-15 spacecraft (S.S. Katherine Johnson) docked with the International Space Station on 22nd February 2021 at 12:16 UTC. The MISSE-14 Carriers (MSC) that contain our payload are currently scheduled to be installed on the MISSE Flight Facility outside of the ISS during the week of 19th April 2021. The MSCs will be stowed in the pressurized ISS modules until the installation date. After the installation has been completed, the MISSE-14 MSCs will be opened, initial checkout performed, and then photos will be taken of all the exposed experiments.

• 20th February 2021: Cygnus NG-15 (S.S. Katherine Johnson) Launched Successfully

Fantastic news! The Cygnus NG-15 spacecraft, otherwise known as the S.S. Katherine Johnson (after famed NASA mathematician and "Hidden Figure") launched successfully from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on 20 February 2021 at 17:36:50 UTC. The spacecraft is due to dock with the International Space Station on 22nd February 2021.

• 20th January 2021: Launch Scheduled for 20th February at 17.36 UTC

The official date and time of launch have been announced by NASA and Northrop Grumman; 20th February at 17.36 UTC. The flight will launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Please note that this date/time may move based on weather conditions, flight equipment, etc. We will provide further updates closer to the time, along with a video feed to watch the launch as and when it is supplied by NASA.

• 20th August 2020: Launch Rescheduled to 1st February 2021

We have received official confirmation that due to the effects of Covid-19, our payload has been rescheduled. The payload was originally planned for launch in September 2020 aboard Northrop Grumman Cygnus NG-14 and has now been slated to launch on 1st February 2021 aboard Northrop Grumman Cygnus NG-15 instead. We understand that this may come as disappointing news, but please rest assured that the payload will fly, albeit later than originally planned.

JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi preparing the MISSE-14 payload for deployment

https://www.thespacecollective.com/media/wysiwyg/misse-payloads/MSC-MTT_floating.png https://www.thespacecollective.com/media/wysiwyg/misse-payloads/MSCs_on_the_MTT_1.png
https://www.thespacecollective.com/media/wysiwyg/misse-payloads/MSCs_on_the_MTT.png

https://www.thespacecollective.com/media/wysiwyg/misse-payloads/MTT_inside_the_JEM_airlock.png

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