Students at St Joseph’s Primary School, Bombala, recently had the opportunity to speak with American astronaut, Shane Kimbrough, direct from the International Space Station (ISS).

The link up with Shane was made possible by Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). ARISS is an international consortium of volunteers that assist to develop and operate the amateur radio equipment on board the ISS. ARISS provides students worldwide with the opportunity to speak with crew members about daily life on the ISS.

ARISS Moderator, Shane Lynd, established radio contact with the ISS, using an ARISS telebridge network. The amateur radio ground station that established radio contact for St Joseph’s was located in Casale, Monferrato, Italy.

Students at St Joseph’s were able to utilise this technology to ask Astronaut Shane Kimbrough a variety of questions about life in space.

Miller Stewart, Year 6 School Leader, asked Shane a question about zero gravity in space and how this affects astronauts when they return to earth.

“Currently we are learning all about the universe,” said Miller. “We recently visited the Canberra Deep Space Communication Centre so it was really exciting for us to get to talk to a real astronaut,” she said.

“Shane answered our questions and gave some great tips for budding astronauts” said St Joseph’s Principal Susan Tighe.

“At St Joseph’s we are growing skills that will equip our students for their future,” said Susan. “The school is focused on developing student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We are also introducing coding, robotics, Virtual Reality and 3D printing into our learning,” she said.

“Thanks to all St Joseph’s staff who have spent this Term investigating all things Space in their classes,” said Susan “Special thanks to Lily Sato, Alice Shannon and Simone Hillyer who helped prepare the event and supported the students on the night to ensure all questions were heard and answered.”

“Thank you also to the members of local amateur radio groups who came along and supported our link up,” she said.