SpaceX and NASA are working on getting the class of 2020 to join astronauts in space -- at least, to some extent.
Both companies are inviting students to complete their giant mosaic of images that will be printed out and sent along with the Crew Dragon's first manned mission. The photos will join astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a launch scheduled on May 27.
The launch is considered a huge milestone for NASA, which has been working with SpaceX to bring human launches back to the United States. The space agency has been using Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan since its shuttle program closed in 2011.
With the upcoming mission, NASA will be able to send astronauts to and from the International Space Station. Similarly, SpaceX is also working to send humans into space using the Starship.
As for the gigantic mosaic, it's only offered to students set to graduate or have graduated this year, "from kindergarten to graduate school," according to SpaceX's website. Interested students must hurry up, though -- you only have until May 20 to submit your photos.
It's not actually the first for SpaceX to send random stuff in space. In 2018, the Falcon Heavy brought with it CEO Elon Musk's red Tesla roadster along with a "5D quartz laser storage device." It's designed to revolve around the sun for 30 million years.
If you want to get your photo up in space, here's what you should do:
- Go to SpaceX's Class of 2020 page
- Select "Add your photo"
- Enter your email address and the name of your school
- Press "Take or browse for a photo" to start uploading your chosen image
That's pretty much it. Your photo will be a part of the mosaic that will join astronauts Hurley and Behnken. After the deadline of submissions, you'll be able to view the mosaic on SpaceX's website. You'll have to locate where you are in the mosaic, though, but that won't be a problem since you can zoom and pan into the photos. You can also share your shot on your Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
It's not clear if all photos will be included, or SpaceX somehow decides who will make the cut. But if yours is included, you can watch the Crew Dragon's launch on NASA TV, which will be live-streamed on May 27 at 12:15 p.m. EST.
If you haven't already, go ahead and submit your photo on SpaceX's website.
