Who knew that rocket science could have so much in common with botany and plant pathology? This is a human interest and science story that documents from firsthand accounts and artifacts the historical context and scientific events relevant to an important collaborative Fast Plant investigation on the MIR Space Station. The project coincided with pivotal historical events and involved many scientists, teachers, and students in the Ukraine and the US. The project was called the Collaborate Ukraine Experiment, and this story was written explicitly to present in an interesting way to students and teachers how engineering practices--as well as science practices--are important in the life sciences.