TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — At the Terre Haute Children’s Museum, local children were able to experience an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity.
Each student prepared a question and heard the response of astronaut Jonny Kim, from the International Space Station.
“I was honestly really nervous. I was sitting in that chair like shaking a little bit,” said Karolyn Merritt, a student at South Vermillion Middle School.
The idea of speaking to someone traveling 17,500 miles per hour can bring not only nerves, but also excitement.
“It was really exciting. I was honestly kind of surprised like how it all worked and how it all happens. i thought it was so cool,” said Sylvia Chennette, a student at Woodrow Wilson Middle School.
Lots of questions were asked, like if he misses home, the most challenging part of being in space, and how he exercises up there.
“I just thought he was really cool and I love this thing because I got to come like spend time with my dad and help him set up for this because he is one of the Amateur Radio operators,” said student Annabelle Emmert.
Lots of preparations were made to make this moment possible. ARISS used radio equipment with help of local Radio Amateurs Club and there were antennas installed on the Terre Haute Children’s Museum roof. ARISS only let’s a school apply for the contact every five years to provide this unique opportunity to kids all over the world.
“I want to make that happen as their mentor. I want to give them something to talk about for the rest of their life,” said ARISS Technical Mentor Gordon Scannell.
As a sendoff, all of the students said goodbye. An experience, these students won’t forget.
