Space talk: Mysuru school students to interact with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on July 4
'This is a rare and prestigious opportunity that allows students to establish direct communication with the ISS using amateur radio frequencies, an extraordinary instance of STEM education meeting real-world application. Excel Public School is the only school in the city to participate in this live Q&A,' the school said.
What the AXIOM-4 Mission aims to achieve at the International Space Station
Licensed student HAM operators from EPS – Bhuvan P.M., Namasyu A., Tanish Tejaswi M.S., Pranav C.N., Vishruth R., and Sanat Raj G. — will represent the school in the ISS interaction, guided by their mentor and Amateur Radio club custodian Mahesh M.B.
'The contact will be made using amateur radio transceivers configured to uplink and downlink signals through the ARISS ground station infrastructure, allowing students to engage in Q&A from Earth to space via RF transmissions. The interaction will occur as part of a global network of scheduled ARISS school contacts that introduce young learners to space science, communications technology, and orbital research,' according to a press release.
Months of hard work
The students from EPS said, 'As licensed student HAM operators, we've spent months learning the science behind radio communication, tracking satellites, and assembling and testing antennas. Being able to apply all of that by connecting with the International Space Station is an experience we never imagined we'd have at this stage in our learning journey.'
'This contact is the result of sustained effort by the students, from clearing their ASOC exams to building antennas and decoding signals from the ISS. It's a practical demonstration of what they've learned,' said Mahesh M B, EPS's Amateur Radio Club Custodian.
'Historic moment'
EPS's Amateur Radio Club, operating under the call sign VU2TQA, was licensed on November 6, 2023, by the Ministry of Communications. EPS has been recognised as an ISRO Space Tutor School, the release added.
EPS Principal Mathew K.G. said, 'It's a matter of great pride for our students to be part of this historic moment for India and to have the opportunity to speak to Mr. Shubhanshu Shukla.'
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Shukla, who is the first Indian to reach the ISS, is also one of the four astronaut-designates for Gaganyaan. A student said that Shukla told them that astronauts hardly get any free time. "But they do watch things or play some sports," he said. "However, one thing that astronauts look forward to is to go out and gaze into space and take a good view of the Earth -- it is very beautiful," a student, who was part of the interaction, told PTI. Talking about the challenges of getting the body readjusted back on Earth, Shukla told his audience that the biggest challenge is the absence of gravity. "Space is a new situation for the body. So like today, I am feeling much better from what I was feeling on day one here," the astronaut said. "My body has now kind of adapted to microgravity, but when I return to Earth, my body would have to readapt to gravity. This is a challenge again, and this adaptation will be required on re-entering Earth. A lot of preparations and procedures are required because space is a very dynamic place," he added. Asked what astronauts eat, Shukla said that most of the food is pre-packaged, and adequate care is taken to ensure that they have enough nutrition. Food becomes one of the main sources of motivation or pleasure in space, he said. "Different food items are laid down and astronauts get to taste all of those and whatever they prefer is packed," said Shukla, who during his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told him that he had carried desserts like Gazar Ka Halwa, Moong Dal Ka Halwa and Aam Ras with him to space. A student wanted to know his take on the effect that space has on mental health. At this, Shukla, while admitting challenges, added that modern technology has ensured that astronauts get to connect with family and friends. "It helps a lot," he said. 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Another student said that when asked about how one stays fit in space where microgravity comes in play, Shukla said, "On Earth, we always have loading on our body due to gravity and the muscles are always utilised while walking, sitting, or even standing." "But that is not the case in microgravity, as one suffers muscle loss. It is very important for astronauts to keep exercising," Shukla told the students and spoke of his exercise routine. "There is a bicycle that we exercise on. Interestingly, there is no seat on the cycle because in microgravity, you are floating. So you just lock on to the pedals, tie yourself to the belt and then you start exercising. "There is also an exercise machine in which you can do all forms of exercises," he told the students while also demonstrating how one moves in space.
