Dublin school students to talk to International Space Station

12 Dublin primary school students will have the chance to talk to an astronaut this afternoon.

The pupils from Dublin-based DEIS schools will speak live with NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli via amateur radio to learn about life in space, and will have approximately 11 minutes to make direct contact with the astronaut on board the ISS, as it orbits Earth at 27,600km/hr.

The amateur radio contact will take place at 14:11 IST today and will be live-streamed on TU Dublin’s YouTube channel.

TU Dublin applied to be involved in an initiative run by Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), which is a global voluntary group that allows schools from around the world to chat with astronauts.

Organisers said TU Dublin was a “stand-out” organisation due to their inspirational science education outreach programme.

The out-of-this-world-chat will feature six DEIS primary schools that are involved in Space Week activities, with students from Sacred Heart Killinarden, Gardiner Street Primary School, Stanhope Primary School, St. Paul’s Brunner Primary School, St. Mary’s Primary School, and St. Gabriels National School taking part.

Dr Mary Meaney, registrar and deputy president of TU Dublin, said “by participating in this extraordinary event, these lucky students will have about 11 minutes to put their local community on the astronomical map as they make direct contact via amateur radio – it’s an exciting opportunity for all.”

Victoria MacKechnie, director of corporate affairs and operations at Workday, Inc. said “space resonates with primary school children; their sense of curiosity and adventure, providing a great segue to pursue STEAM subjects that can unlock new and exciting careers.”

The International Space Station has been permanently manned since November 2000, with seven astronauts currently living and working onboard the most expensive structure ever built by humanity.