Education · Technology
A collaborative student research team from Pikes Peak State College and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs has been selected to send its experiment to the International Space Station through the competitive Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) Mission 19.
The experiment launched to the ISS on May 15 aboard SpaceX CRS-34. Once aboard, astronauts will conduct the experiment in microgravity conditions before the samples are returned to Earth for analysis.
“Having student research fly to the International Space Station is an extraordinary achievement. It highlights the innovation, persistence and collaborative spirit of our students and demonstrates that meaningful space research can begin right here in Colorado Springs.” — Dr. Lynnane George, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UCCSProposals Submitted
1,178
Selected to Fly
21
Students Worldwide
7,288
The student team’s proposal — focused on how fungi behave in microgravity environments — was selected through a competitive international review process. Of 1,178 proposals submitted, 397 advanced to formal review and just 21 experiments were ultimately selected to fly. Colorado received 11 proposals this year, with approximately 55 students participating.
The selected student research team includes Evan Martin, Tristan Dwyer and William Shimel from UCCS, along with Cody Leeper from Pikes Peak State College. The team was mentored by Dr. Carol McClelland, UCCS faculty member.
“This team has faced multiple launch delays and continued work on their experiment for almost two years as a result. We are thrilled they are finally getting to launch. Sustainable exploration requires learning how to recover and reuse resources in space. This team’s experiment investigates whether fungi can become part of that future.”
— Dr. McKenna Lovejoy, Director of Engineering, Pikes Peak State College
About the Experiment
The experiment investigates how microgravity impacts the mycological process of bioleaching — using fungi to remove and recycle heavy metals from electronic components. Specifically, it studies Aspergillus niger and its ability to recover metals in low-gravity environments, a process that could prove essential for long-term space habitation and sustainable off-world resource management.
Researchers will analyze metal concentration, acid production, fungal growth patterns and metal adsorption onto fungal biomass. They anticipate that microgravity may increase metal adsorption efficiency, potentially advancing future technologies for resource recovery during deep-space missions.
The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program provides students with authentic aerospace research opportunities while encouraging hands-on STEM education and collaboration across institutions, positioning Colorado students as emerging contributors to the future of space exploration.