Magellan announces successful launch of student space experiments

TORONTO, Oct. 31, 2016 /CNW/- Magellan Aerospace ("Magellan") is pleased to announce the successful launch, and return to earth, of three Canadian student space microgravity science experiments aboard Mission 8 of the U.S. - based Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP).  The experiments were delivered to the International Space Station (ISS) by the SpaceX CRS-9 mission.  The SSEP is a unique, immersive program that gives students the ability to design and propose real microgravity experiments to fly in low earth orbit in the ISS.  Two of the three participating Canadian school communities were sponsored by Magellan:

• University of Toronto Schools (UTS), Toronto, Ontario
• Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario

Magellan's national SSEP partnership serves to increase the opportunity for Canadian communities to participate in the SSEP.  The program utilizes the funding provided by the company to bridge funding shortfalls for student communities that would otherwise be unable to participate.  The company has been a supporter of the SSEP since it expanded into Canada in 2012. Since that time Magellan-sponsored school communities have engaged over 1,225 Canadian secondary school students in microgravity science experiment design and resulted in more than 270 fight experiment proposals submitted to the SSEP.

Two new Canadian school communities were recently accepted aboard the program for Mission 11 – Coquitlam School District (43), in Coquitlam, British Columbia, and Ecole Stonewall Centennial School in Stonewall, Manitoba.  The Mission 11 flight experiments to ISS will be selected by December 15, 2016, with a projected launch as the SSEP America payload of experiments (named for the Apollo 17 Command Module) in late spring 2017.  The Mission 11 communities are projected to engage 1,250 students in microgravity experiment design and result in 240 flight experiment proposals.

"SSEP was designed to inspire and engage the next generation of scientists and engineers through authentic, immersive experiences in research", says Dr. Jeff Goldstein, the progam's creator and director.  "In Canada, thousands of students are participating in SSEP as a direct result of Magellan's support, which is nothing short of an investment in our future."

 "Magellan's national sponsoring partnership for the SSEP in Canada is an excellent fit for our company," said Ms. Laura Podaima, Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing Services for Magellan Aerospace. "Magellan strongly supports academic partnerships and youth engagement, and we recognize the importance of STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] education as the foundation for the next generation of Canadian engineers and innovators.  But best of all, the students are excited to participate and have the opportunity to send their science into space, and they make us very proud of their accomplishments."

National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE) SSEP website:  http://ncesse.org

About Magellan Aerospace

Magellan Aerospace is a global, integrated aerospace company that provides complex assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft and engine manufacturers, and defense and space agencies worldwide. Magellan designs, engineers, and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure assemblies and components for aerospace markets, advanced products for military and space markets, industrial power generation, and specialty products. Magellan is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MAL), with operating units throughout Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Poland.

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SOURCE Magellan Aerospace Corporation

Ms. Laura Podaima, Corporate Director, Communications and Marketing Services, Magellan Aerospace, Ph. [phone] x 3311; Mr. Daniel Zanatta, Vice President, Business Development, Marketing and Contracts, Magellan Aerospace, Ph. [phone] x554