Holyoke, Springfield students speak with astronaut
Date: 4/5/2011
April 6, 2011By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
SPRINGFIELD — There was a slight hesitation between the questions asked by the students from Lt. Elmer J. McMahon Elementary School and the Dr. Marcella R. Kelly Elementary School from Holyoke and Springfield's STEM Middle Academy and the answers from Col. Catherine Coleman aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Considering the distance — the ISS is orbiting 200 miles above the earth — one could excuse a delay of a few seconds.
That delay didn't do anything to tarnish a unique moment. The students had a rare opportunity last week to ask questions to an astronaut aboard the ISS.
What made the event even more memorable is that Coleman is a resident of Western Massachusetts. The retired Air Force officer earned a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts (UMass) in polymer science and engineering and is married to well know glass artist Josh Simpson.
The program was presented on March 29 at Springfield Technical Community College and was collaboration with the UMass, Amherst.
The questions asked by the students ranged from how do people learn to work to together on the ISS to what kind of experiments are being undertaken to what happens during an emergency on the ISS.
Coleman preceded her time with the students with an interview with WGBY. She said she was surprised how quickly she became used to microgravity.
She noted she was on the ISS for a six-month tour and recently life aboard the station had been busy with the arrival of a series of supply vessels from Japan, Russia and the European space programs. Coleman explained that one of her duties was to launch a Japanese satellite through the use of the station's robotic arm.
With the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's first manned journey into space last month, Coleman said being on the ISS at this time "makes us realize how far we have come and the goals we have."
Maryanyelie Canales, a student at the Kelly School, asked if a dog or any other animal would ever live on the station. Coleman said that a dog could live there although the animal would "take a little time to get used to it."
There have been mice, fish and right now, worms, on the ISS for various experiments, Coleman revealed.
Laura Ernst of the McMahon School asked how living on the ISS prepares astronauts for a mission to Mars. Coleman explained that they are learning how people react to long-term stays in space, especially how to deal with losing bone mass through weightlessness. She also elicited a few gasps when she explained the ISS astronauts recycle their sweat, previously used water and urine for drinking water.
Damaini Porter of the STEM Middle Academy asked what happens if there is a medical emergency on board. Coleman explained that none of the astronauts are doctors, although they have received medical training in basic procedures.
"The ground is only one video call, one phone call away," she said. "If it's a real emergency we have our vehicle and can be home in 15 hours."
Ana Diaz of the McMahon School wondered when Coleman decided to be an astronaut. Coleman admitted, "When I was growing up it was strange for girls to be astronauts. I didn't think about it until I met Dr. Sally Ride. I thought, 'Maybe I could do that job.'"
D'vine Davis of the STEM Middle Academy asked if the impact of human beings on the earth could be seen from the ISS. Coleman noted the astronauts could see the burning of rain forests and the shrinking of bodies of water such as Lake Chad from space.
Before the conversation ended, Coleman, while answering a question from Massachusetts Secretary of Education Paul Reville, commended the students for having the courage to stand up and ask questions.
"I encourage them to ask questions tomorrow and the day after. Ask adults about their jobs," she said.
Speaking of future space travel Coleman told the students, "It's our neighborhood and it's our path to explore it."
