Kids at Kopernik call astronauts on International Space Station

KOPERNIK OBSERVATORY, NEW YORK (WIVT/WBGH) –

International Space Station, do you copy?

Kids in Summer camp at Kopernik Observatory used a HAM Radio to talk to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station today.

The week-long camp is called ‘Welcome Aboard the ISS where students learn about satellite orbits and radio communications in preparation for their call with the astronaut.

Since the space station is traveling so fast, the radio contact only lasted about 10 minutes, but in that time, the students got to ask questions of astronaut Matthew Dominick.

Executive Director Drew Deskur says the ultimate goal of the experience is to spark creativity and interest in STEM.

“To be able to actually talk to one of them and ask them their experience about what did it feel like to be on a rocket ship, or what kind of work you do? How do you stay healthy aboard the ISS? Giving them an opportunity to ask questions that they want to ask,” says Deskur.

The campers were joined by their families for the radio call.

Throughout the rest of camp, the kids will get to create their own make-shift antenna that can contact the ISS.

The kids asked questions like “what does a sunrise in space look like?”

And, “does every meal you eat come in a bag?”

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