Baylee Barnwell, a freshman at Clear Lake High School in Clear Creek ISD, was chosen as the winner of the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) Campaign 7 Patch Challenge hosted by Space Center Houston. Her patch design was selected to represent the next four HERA missions.
“I honestly did it for the fun of it, just to say I entered,” said Barnwell. “I never thought I’d end up winning it. But I am really excited for the opportunity.”
Barnwell participated in the competition against 50 other students nationwide through her art class. They were tasked with creating a design representing HERA’s next mission, called Campaign 7. Patches are emblems worn by crews and support staff.
Regarding Barnwell’s patch, “It’s not just a resume, this is something that’s going be in history forever,” said Peter Storms, Clear Lake High School art teacher. “You can look back at any patches and see the timeline. She has done something fantastic. She has gone through and made something that will be immortalized forever.”
Spaceflight analogs are any environment that produces the same or similar effects on humans as is experienced in actual spaceflight. HERA at the Johnson Space Center is an analog for the isolated and confined living environment of a long-duration spaceflight mission, such as a mission to Mars. For Campaign 7, four sets of crews will each simulate a mission to Mars as they live and work in HERA’s 650-square-foot habitat for 45 days.
“My dad actually worked at NASA, so I have always been interested in space,” said Barnwell. “If I can do it, anyone has the opportunity to enter these competitions and go further in life than they ever expected to go.”
Barnwell and her parents were recently given an in-person tour of the HERA facility at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Clear Lake High School students and staff could join Barnwell’s tour virtually.
HERA Campaign 7 is set to begin on January 26, 2024. Barnwell’s patch design is currently displayed on the habitat door and will remain there through December 2024, when Campaign 7’s last mission is expected to end. Click here to learn more about HERA.
