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Mission X is an international educational challenge, focusing on fitness and nutrition, which teaches students how to "train like an astronaut." Teams of students from the United States, Netherlands, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Colombia, Spain and the United Kingdom are participating in this pilot project, while Japan hosts a modified version of the challenge. Russia, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Northern Ireland are supporting the implementation effort as observing countries.

This first-of-its-kind outreach project, sponsored by NASA's Human Research Program, brings together 14 space agencies and partner institutions to teach students principles of healthy eating and exercise. Mission X features training modules and healthy activities that compare to those used by astronauts and cosmonauts during all phases of space flight. Students practice scientific reasoning and teamwork, whilst learning more about space exploration.

Thirty Year 7 students from Cumberland School, Newham attended a workshop at The Royal Aeronautical Society, as part of their "Mission X" programme “Train like an astronaut”. They had the pleasure to meet astronaut instructor Yamil Garcia and his crew members from NASA. They also had an opportunity to meet other pupils from other school in the UK that are participating in Mission X, including Sydney Russell School. The closing ceremony took place on Friday 27th April 2012 hosted by Cumberland School. International students from different parts of the world, a NASA astronaut instructor, and a film crew attended. This is the first year that Cumberland School got involved. Cumberland school received a certificate and banner from the UK space agency for involvement in the programme. Run! Activator Andre Fernandez attended the event and was on hand to take notes on the new training formats demonstrated.

Run! Activator Coral Nourrice said; ‘The purpose of events like this gives students the opportunity to share their experiences, and enables students to train alongside astronauts and athletes, to promote physical fitness and contribute to the Olympic education and health legacy. It is clear that Athletes training, eating and lifestyle regime is very similar to that of an Astronaut’

Run! Athlete Rachel Shodeinde who took part in the days activities said; ‘I did the plank exercise today and it was really tricky we needed a lot of teamwork to do it, when you’re in space you need a lot of teamwork too.’

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