On Friday 16 June, Heaton School launched a successful space mission codenamed 'Chalo' (meaning 'keep going' in Urdu). 

The mission saw a miniature astronaut named Chelsea sent 36 kilometres from Earth into space (and back) using a weather balloon, launched from Rochdale Special School whilst students back in Heaton Moor watched proceedings live from mission control (otherwise known as the school hall). 

Organised by lead science teacher Kyle Richmond, the mission saw help from Manchester University and volunteers from 'Heaton Men in Sheds'. 

Heaton School - which is a secondary special school for young people with severe learning difficulties, autism and complex medical needs - commented that there was 'excitement all around' for the students. 

The pupils named Chelsea's spacecraft 'Yellow Hedgehog', and also designed her spacesuit. 

The weather balloon just prior to launch (Image - Pete Adamson)

Mr Richmond described how the inspiration for starting this mission came from his own love of space and cosmology. 

Particularly, he refers to the landing of the Perseverance Rover on Mars, and specifically the message written on the craft's parachute - 'dare mighty things'. 

"I was livestreaming the landing at home and saw the collective excitement, joy and togetherness that occurred in the control room when the mission was a success", he said. "I wondered if there was a way to encapsulate that and recreate it for our students."

Mr Richmond adds: "It was always my hope that the students were brought together for a common purpose and shared a common goal which we then celebrated together. I think we achieved that."

More generally, Mr Richmond also emphasises the importance of space in providing perspective.

Chelsea climbs the first metres on the way up to the final frontier (Image - Heaton School)

"Space is the frontier of man's achievement and the boundary of what's achievable", he says. "It is more relevant than ever with the current space race taking place around us and possible habitation of other worlds occurring in the near future. 

"It's important for everyone to learn a little about space and what's just beyond the thin blue layer of atmosphere which covers our home. 

"Science is a very important thing to learn about. But not just the concepts. It's critical thinking and trying things out that are the most important. 

"Our students struggle with concepts, especially those that aren't immediately visible and tangible. What our students can do is try things out and see what happens. The space mission was the ultimate in trying things out and fortunately it worked!"

If Mr Richmond's aim was to open students to space, then it certainly seems he succeeded, and not just at Heaton School. With appearances on North West Tonight and Newsround, no doubt students across the country might also consider to 'dare mighty things'.

Those who want to watch footage of the Chalo mission can find a video by Pete Adamson below.

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or Twitter