Bozeman News

Students react to Ebb and Flow being crashed into moon

Posted: Dec 17, 2012 1:59 PM by Adam Bell
Updated: Dec 17, 2012 4:29 PM

Ebb and Flow, two satellites, named by 4th graders at Emily Dickinson Elementary in Bozeman, will crash into the moon later today. NASA says these satellites served their purpose, and with little fuel, it decided to have a controlled crash of the satellites into the moon at 3:28 pm local time today.

Last year, Mrs. DiMauro's 4th grade class received the honor of naming these two satellites. While Mrs. DiMauro has since retired, many, now 5th graders at Emily Dickinson Elementary wrote letters to NASA, thanking them for the opportunity and saying good-bye to their beloved Ebb and Flow.

Here are a few quotes from these letters to NASA:
Alexandra Kovash writes:
"Dear NASA,
I really enjoyed the opportunity and experience of being with NASA. I think everyone that was part of Ebb & Flow is really sad to see it come to an end. Ebb & Flow inspired me to be part of NASA when I grow up. It was really cool to get to speak with Sally Ride before she passed. When I grow up, I want to continue her work with middle school students and NASA!"

Paige Marcella writes:
"Dear NASA,
I enjoyed having these opportunities and experiences. It inspired me to never give up. I enjoyed our journey with Ebb and Flow. I believe this opportunity was once in a lifetime. It really was a gift to work with you. Now I think I might just work for NASA. Thank you so much for having Ebb and Flow fly longer. Even though their journey has ended, I will never forget this experience. Thanks again.
P.S. I will always remember Sally Ride and Neil Armstrong, who inspire me."

Kennedy Stock writes:
"Dear NASA,
Thank you so much for the opportunity to name Ebb & Flow. I enjoyed this amazing mission. I am very sad to see Ebb & Flow come to an end. Ms. DiMauro is also sad but at least we had being part of NASA. I also thank you for sending so many extraordinary people and such wonderful gadgets. Every person that helped in the naming of the probes deserves a thank you, including you! Thanks a ton."

Paul Schoep writes:
"Thanks, NASA!
Thank you for letting us get involved in the AMAZING project! Farewell Ebb & Flow!"
(Paul added drawings of the GRAIL mission probes to his letter)

Branden Tarabochia writes:
"I would like to say goodbye to Ebb and Flow. It was a lot of fun to kind of work with you NASA. I had a great time. Some day I might be in the NASA office as an engineer."

Buck Easley writes:
"Dear NASA,
Thank you for chosing us to name the space crafts. We wish Ebb and Flow lived. I hope NASA will do another competition. Ms. DiMauro would love to write, but she retired last year. Good Day."

Megan Bittner writes:
"Dear NASA,
Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity of naming Ebb and Flow. Even though it's coming to an end, I have my hometown newspaper, the picture of Sally Ride, and my confidence of being on camera. You guys have inspired me to be what I want to be. I also want to say your camera guy helped me find a giant saffire this summer. Thank you so much.
P.S. Fairwell Ebb and Flow"