CALLINGTON Community College students have once again had an 'out-of-this world' experience on a trip to NASA in the USA.

The annual event, which has now been running at Callington for more than ten years, sees students undertake a scholarship selection process to earn a place on the once-in-a lifetime NASA experience.

Six students from Callington travelled with staff and students from three other UK colleges, initially flying out to the home of Mission Control in Houston, Texas, before moving on to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

The opportunities available for this year's students were as wide- ranging and exciting as always, with a real highlight being the all-access tour of Johnson Space Centre.

Entry into the historic mission control room from where Neil Armstrong's moon landing and the famous Apollo 13 flight were managed caused genuine awe and excitement.  

In Florida the students were spoiled, with rare access onto the base at Kennedy Space Centre to work with American college students on a satellite project they hope to launch into space. 

And what trip to NASA would be complete without two days of astronaut training, where students had the opportunity to use astronaut training equipment such as an anti-gravity and g-force trainer, build their own rockets and of course, fly a simulated space shuttle mission.

The students have returned to college with a renewed motivation; with NASA planning future explorations of Mars and meteors and the on-going work of the European Space Agency, these six students are looking to find their place in the space programme.

A spokesperson for Callington College said: 'We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone locally who has helped the students raise money for the trip and in particular to Mrs S Trathen who generously donated towards this year's trip through a bequest from her late husband Mr P Trathen, who was a long supporter of the event.'