![Why Dirt From New Hampshire is in a Rocket in Space Right Now](https://townsquare.media/site/699/files/2022/11/attachment-Untitled-design-2022-11-29T152038.419.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Why Dirt From New Hampshire is in a Rocket in Space Right Now
It finally happened after months of preparation! I'm so excited for the University of New Hampshire and Newington Middle School students, who saw their project called NoMads, short for Novel Methods of Antibiotic Discovery in Space, launch into space towards the International Space Station.
According to the University of New Hampshire, NASA launched the rocket. The ship carried several supplies, science experiments, and equipment, including dirt from Newington, New Hampshire, that will see how bacteria in the soil reacts to microgravity.
Here's the deal. According to the University of New Hampshire, Manchester, UNH science students known as Team Cooke will study the soil once it returns to earth, with the help of those middle school students who won a statewide Junior Scientist competition.
For several months now, Team Cooke has been working, experimenting, and learning about bacteria and antibiotics, as well as performing microbiology experiments. Once reaching zero gravity, the team hopes the experiment will provide critical information that could lead to new medical treatments.
NASA chose Team Cooke for this experiment to see exactly what happens to the soil samples and if, or how, the soil mutates differently and can possibly create new antibiotics. UNH says they chose Newington Middle School students to assist them from a statewide competition they created. The soil came from Newington's town forest because it's the oldest forest in the entire country.
So as they say, to be continued.
These Are 20 of the Best Chinese Restaurants in New Hampshire
28 Classic Films That Were Turned Into (Mostly Failed) TV Shows
More From WSHK-WSAK 102.1 & 105.3 The Shark
![Remember This Iconic New Hampshire Food Truck That Used a Secret Language?](http://townsquare.media/site/699/files/2024/03/attachment-Screen-Shot-2024-03-12-at-6.40.47-PM.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![If You See Any of These Seven Bugs in New Hampshire, Squash Them Immediately](http://townsquare.media/site/701/files/2023/02/attachment-Untitled-design-2023-02-26T135347.476.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Hampshire Company Makes Stunning, Intergalactic History With NASA](http://townsquare.media/site/699/files/2022/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2022-07-15T142442.825.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![ICYMI: UNH Cheerleader Honored Her Friend Who Passed in the Most Heartwarming Way](http://townsquare.media/site/701/files/2023/06/attachment-Image-1.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Inspirational 106-Year-Old Honored With Prestigious Award From the University of New Hampshire](http://townsquare.media/site/701/files/2023/04/attachment-age-of-champions.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![University of New Hampshire Helps Locate Ship That Wrecked in 1894](http://townsquare.media/site/699/files/2023/04/attachment-336537939_1404132083693503_2337262064536436709_n.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UNH Wildcats: Here Are 10 of the Best Restaurants in Durham, New Hampshire](http://townsquare.media/site/701/files/2022/08/attachment-Copy-of-Your-paragraph-text-2022-08-30T141823.934.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New England: My Name Will Literally Fly Into Deep Space for Free, and Yours Can, Too](http://townsquare.media/site/699/files/2022/06/attachment-Untitled-design-2022-06-21T155737.134.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Liftoff: Maine Astronaut Jessica Meir to Be Honored by Maine Women’s Hall of Fame](http://townsquare.media/site/697/files/2022/02/attachment-Untitled-design-38.jpg?w=980&q=75)