ESA's 'Mission X' lets couch potato kids train like astronauts

Washington, June 1 (ANI): If your child wants to become an astronaut, then here's a chance to let him train as one - the European Space Agency (ESA) and its partners are unveiling a new fitness programme using the example of space explorers to encourage exercise and healthy nutrition among youngsters.

'Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut' is a worldwide initiative supported by ESA and the national space agencies of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, UK and USA.

The initiative will start in the second week of January 2011 and run for six weeks at the teachers' discretion during the following eight weeks.

The teams, consisting of children aged 8-12 years, will perform a number of physical exercises and classroom lessons to become as fit as an astronaut and learn the importance of an active lifestyle and healthy nutrition.

Scores will be awarded after each exercise and, at the end of the 'mission', the winning class for each country will be announced.

A website will allow teams to upload results, download educational material, check the results and share comments. (ANI)