NASA, Global Astronaut Team to Inspire Students in Texas,NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi will answer prerecorded questions about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics from students in Mansfield, Texas, while aboard the International Space Station. The 20-minute space-to-Earth call will take place at 10:40 a.m. EDT on Monday, May 5, and can be watched on the NASA STEM YouTube Channel.
Media interested in covering the event must RSVP no later than 5 p.m., Friday, May 2 by contacting Laura Jobe at laurajobe@misdmail.org or 817-299-6300.
Future Scientists Meet Astronauts in Texas
The event, hosted by Mansfield Independent School District, also will have students present from Brenda Norwood Elementary, Alma Martinez Intermediate, Charlene McKinzey Middle, Jerry Knight and Frontier STEM Academies in Mansfield. This opportunity will allow the students to relate what they have learned about space travel to personal experiences.
For more than 24 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked aboard the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through SCaNs (Space Communications and Navigation) Near Space Network.
The outreach initiative will bring real-life space travelers into classrooms and auditoriums across the state, offering students a rare chance to hear firsthand about life in space, the challenges of training for missions, and the future of spaceflight https://scienceandaerospace.blog/space/the-future-of-commercial-spaceflight/. NASA officials say the visit is part of their long-standing mission to foster public interest in space and encourage young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
“Meeting astronauts can be life-changing for students,” said a NASA outreach coordinator. “It brings space down to Earth and shows that with hard work, anyone can be part of something bigger than themselves.”
Inspiring the Future of Space Exploration
In addition to inspiring young minds, NASA hopes the tour will underscore the value of international collaboration in science, education, and innovation.
Students, educators, and families attending the events will also enjoy interactive exhibits, space science demos, and opportunities to connect virtually with NASA engineers and mission specialists.
Important research and technology investigations taking place aboard the space station benefit people on Earth and lays the groundwork for other agency missions. As part of NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency will send astronauts to the Moon to prepare for future human exploration of Mars; inspiring Artemis Generation explorers and ensuring the United States continues to lead in space exploration and discovery.
Want to Get Involved?
Students, educators, or space enthusiasts in Texas can follow NASA’s outreach updates and event details at www.nasa.gov. You can also follow your local school district’s announcements for astronaut visit schedules.
See videos of astronauts aboard the space station at:
