Students from the Valley Stream South High School Science Honor Society recently enjoyed the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to speak with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station on October 17. The students spoke to Andreas Mogensen, the first astronaut from Denmark, and asked him a series of questions as he orbited around Earth.
The 12 honor society students were selected as winners of the “Ask an Astronaut a Question” contest held last spring and were given this special chance to ask their questions directly to Mogensen over a ham, or amateur, radio. This event was one of only about 60-to-80 yearly special opportunities for students on Earth to speak with ISS astronauts, and it was made possible in collaboration with Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club (LIMARC) and NASA. In addition to the honor society students, the entire South student body was present to witness the conversation.
“It was a great opportunity for students to get excited about science and get some hands-on experience with the opportunities science can provide them with,” said Bethany Kosinski, a South Science Honor Society member.
South students filled the gym to witness this special conversation.
The students mainly asked about Mogensen’s experience as an astronaut, and what skills one would need to acquire to become one.
South Science Honor Society students had the opportunity to ask astronaut Andreas Mogensen questions as he orbited Earth aboard the International Space Station.
The students spoke to Mogensen over ham, or amateur, radio