- News

ESA and its partners are launching a new kind of fitness initiative using the example of space explorers to promote exercise and healthy nutrition to young people worldwide. 'Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut' is being run in eight countries and will begin in the second week of January 2011 and run for six weeks at the teachers' discretion during the following eight weeks.

Children are being encouraged to follow the strict diet and fitness regimes of professional astronauts in an attempt to help children and their teachers change their sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets - two of the most significant risks that can lead to chronic health problems as adults.

'Mission X - Train Like an Astronaut' is a worldwide initiative supported by ESA and the national space agencies of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, UK and USA.

Children aged 8-12 years will form into teams and these teams will then perform a number of physical exercises and classroom lessons to become as fit as an astronaut and learn the importance of an active lifestyle and healthy nutrition.

Scores will be awarded after each exercise and, at the end of the 'mission', the winning class for each country will be announced. A website will allow teams to upload results, download educational material, check the results and share comments.

Read the full story at the ESA website where you will also find details about how to take part.