From ARVic, original post here.

With great anticipation, plenty of rehearsing, and even a mid-week media gig, a Melbourne suburban school community is the latest talk to a crew member in orbit on the International Space Station.

The Essex Heights Primary School in Melbourne’s east last Friday night, during a pre-arranged 10 minute pass, put a series of questions to Astronaut Jeff Williams KD5TVQ via an Amateur Radio telebridge.  The school hall was very quiet as the range of questions were asked.

This is Jeff’s third stint at the International Space Station, being the American spending the most cumulative days in space.  The event is part of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station ARISS, through a telebridge provided by Tony Hutchison VK5ZAI.

Essex Heights Primary has a very strong science program.  In the lead up to the big event students have been tracking overhead passes of the International Space Station which can be seen by the naked eye.

On Friday night, before their teachers and parents, the 11 students asked Jeff Williams questions including how he got into space travel, what sort of work is done in orbit, and the effects of zero gravity.

The year-three to year-six students had their questions ready and quickly stepped up to the microphone.  The school’s Science Coordinator who organised the ARISS event, Jenny Ashtin, later reported that there was great excitement as the International Space Station orbited some 350 kms above.

Principal Andrew Crossett is hopeful the experience will help expand the students’ horizon.  He also praised the Amateur Radio volunteers who made it all possible through the ARISS program.