On Friday 16 June, budding astronauts at 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 Heaton Moor into space (and back) using a weather balloon.

The story of that mission was filmed - every moment of it from mission control (otherwise known as the school hall) right up to the fringes of space. That film has since been selected to appear at Stockport Garrick's Film Festival in April.

Heaton School is a secondary special school for young people with severe learning difficulties, autism and complex medical needs. On mission launch day last year, a spokesperson said there was 'excitement all around' for the students. 

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

The film festival itself will take place at The Garrick from 27-28 April, representing an opportunity to celebrate creativity in Stockport, and for other filmmakers, and pick up some inspiration.

And what better source of inspiration than this space story?

Lead science teacher Kyle Richmond, organiser of the space mission, described how the inspiration for this particular feat 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'. 

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

"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.

"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'.

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