Space Q&A: Students Connect with NASA

NASA astronauts are set to engage with students from Big Pine Key, Florida, in a unique Earth-to-space Q&A session. This interactive event, scheduled for 10:05 a.m. EDT on July 14, will feature NASA astronaut Nicole Ayers and JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, who will answer questions submitted by young learners.

Hosted by the Seacamp Association, the event aims to bridge the gap between space and sea exploration for students aged 10 to 17. It offers a rare opportunity for local Monroe County students, alongside national and international campers, to connect directly with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The event will be streamed live on NASA STEM’s YouTube channel.

For nearly a quarter of a century, the ISS has served as a hub for scientific research and technological advancements, crucial for future space exploration. The astronauts’ communication with NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston through the SCaN’s Near Space Network highlights the continuous collaboration necessary for the success of such missions.

This initiative is part of NASA’s broader Artemis campaign, which seeks to inspire a new generation of explorers and maintain U.S. leadership in space exploration. By answering students’ questions, the astronauts aim to foster interest in STEM fields and demonstrate the parallels between their work in space and scientific endeavors on Earth.