SpaceKids Global is proud to announce founder Sharon Hagle has completed her first trip to space on the Blue Origin New Shepard alongside her husband, Marc Hagle. The flight took off at 8:57 a.m. CDT, March 31, 2022 and arrived safely back to earth at 9:07 a.m. CDT. The 10-minute journey to space traveled 62 miles above earth, where the six-person crew experienced several minutes of weightlessness and a rare glimpse of Planet Earth from above, just like the astronauts before them. Hagle hopes her “out-of-this-world” galactic experience and first-hand pre-flight training will play a key role in opportunities and education SpaceKids Global creates for kids.
“Having just experienced the journey of a lifetime with my husband, Marc, I am further inspired and dedicated to ensure that the next generation is ready for space,” said Sharon Hagle, founder of SpaceKids Global.
As the only female crew member on Blue Origin New Shepard and the first ever married couple to fly to space on a commercial vehicle, Hagle hopes her unique experience in space will be the “First Step” in making space travel and STEAM+ education accessible for kids everywhere one day. Prior to lift off, Hagle and the other crew members underwent space training, including zero-g etiquette and mission rehearsals. The crew also included: Party America CEO Marty Allen; entrepreneur and University of North Carolina professor Jim Kitchen; New Shepard Chief Architect Gary Lai; and President of Commercial Space Technologies Dr. George C. Nield.
“For decades, Florida has been the launchpad for space exploration and innovation, so it should come as no surprise that the first married couple to explore space together are from our state,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Congratulations to Sharon and Marc Hagle on your journey to space – you are an inspiration to Floridians across the state.”
SpaceKids Global is a Florida-based national nonprofit organization with a mission to engage elementary age students in STEAM+ (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics and environment). Studies show that if children, especially young girls, aren’t exposed to STEAM+ by age seven or younger, they are less likely to pursue these valuable careers in space exploration, science and technology. Since its inception, SpaceKids Global has empowered more than 100,000 kids to explore STEAM+ careers and be excited about the future of space travel.
For more information about Hagle and SpaceKids Global’s mission, visit https://www.spacekids.global/.
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About SpaceKids Global:
SpaceKids Global is a Florida based, national nonprofit, with the mission to educate and actively engage a national audience of elementary students in STEAM+ environment activities, that inspire them to pursue careers in space exploration and technology. For more information, visit https://www.spacekids.global/.
