This Saturday afternoon, in Toulouse, as part of the “Student Astronaut Face-to-face by ARISS” project, teenagers were able to talk live with astronaut Thomas Pesquet while he is currently on board the International Space Station (ISS).
“Were you afraid to go to space? “” How do you cope being so far from Earth? “” Do you see the consequences of deforestation from the ISS? “From the Cité de l’Espace, the final year high school students from the Saint-Orens-de-Gameville space high school were able to question Thomas Pesquet for ten minutes this Saturday afternoon. Thanks to the ARISS-Francophone association and the Haute-Garonne radio amateurs of the French Transmitters Network, the link was established between the teenagers and the famous French astronaut on a mission in the International Space Station.
“He’s a role model for many of us”
A meeting on which the students, as well as the students of the University Space Center of Toulouse, have been working for over a year and which will leave them fond memories. “Everyone was a little stressed, it was impressive to talk to an astronaut with such international fame,” says Paul, 17, who aspires to become an engineer. He’s a role model for many of us. “
“He has widely democratized the space industry by communicating on social networks and appearing in many events. He has delighted vocations, ”adds Léonine, who dreams of having a career similar to that of Thomas Pesquet.
In parallel with this project, the high school students worked on many subjects related to space and amateur radio. They created posters and presented presentations to an audience gathered at the Cité de l’Espace. “It plunges them into professional life, they see that they are capable of applying knowledge. As for Thomas Pesquet, he represents a success for young people, he demystifies the space world and shows that it is not inaccessible ”, analyzes Nathalie Serre, professor of philosophy.
“These projects also allow students and high school students to meet and create a microcosm around space, emphasizes”, Nicolas Nolhier, director of the Toulouse University Space Center.
In the room, in addition to the majority of high school and college students, about fifty visitors came to attend the exchange.