EI1ISS (Echo India One India Sierra Sierra ) do you copy, Athlone Community College calling, over
An historic occasion certain to linger long in the mind, Athlone Community College embraced the realm of space when they established radio contact with the International Space Station as it orbited over Ireland on Monday afternoon at 2.50pm.
With thanks to Amateur Radio, the progressive second level school established a temporary radio station to enable communication with the International Space Station (ISS ) in real time.
Students were given a narrow time frame of less than 12 minutes to converse with American astronaut, Dr Shannon Walker, on board the ISS, an impressive feat, considering the ISS travels at approximately 27600km/hr.
“EI1ISS (Echo India One India Sierra Sierra ) do you copy, Athlone Community College calling, over”.
Every student held there breathe as they awaited the reply. “This is Shannon Walker ready for questioning over”. Upon hearing the astronauts first words a buzz of excitement emanated throughout the school as successful contact was achieved.
The students asked the astronaut the questions which puzzled and fascinated them about space.
Shauna, a TY student, quizzed Walker with regard to muscle weakening issues when you return from micro gravity, while Ciaran enquired if her interest to become an astronaut developed at a young age or later in life, with Walker replying that she wanted to become an astronaut from the age of four when Apollo 11 sent men to the moon.
Zayna interjected with a humorous yet thought provoking question, what happens if you are in a space suit and your nose becomes really itchy?, to which she replied, “there’s not a damn thing you can do about it”.
The students at Athlone Community College were understandably truly ecstatic about the experience.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” Brady Kelly enthused.
“You’d never get a chance to talk to an astronaut, it’s a one in a lifetime thing that just happened to us,” Sarah Fitzpatrick expressed.
“I find it incredible that our school was able to communicate directly with real astronauts in space” Alisha Collins, a member of the TY Space Committee, who helped organise all events under the supervision of the co-ordinator Ms Laura Donnellan, commented.
She explained how Athlone Community College achieving selection and successfully making direct contact with the ISS was a huge and memorable achievement for all involved.
Under new restrictions, the event was livestreamed to all classrooms with a limited capacity of students in the hall. The event included some guest speakers including Minister Norma Foley, Dr Norah Patten, BlackRock Observatory, EIRSAT – Ireland’s first satellite program and Daithi O’Se even wished Athlone Community College well in its direct contact.
The school had to battle against thousands of schools across the globe to win the right to communicate with the International Space Station.
The competition is run by Amateur Radio on the ISS programme (ARISS ), which aims to educate students across the world on the work of the International Space Programme.
Local Councillor lauds cohesive space contact efforts
Upon the historical occasion of interaction with astronaut, Dr Shannon Walker, on board the International Space Station, Cllr Frankie Keena, in his capacity as Chairman of Longford/Westmeath Education Training Board, has lauded the cohesive efforts of all Athlone Community College personnel who enabled the realisation of the project.
“I wish to express massive congratulations to Athlone Community College who were afforded the honour of being the only school in Ireland selected to conduct a live audio link with astronaut, Dr Shannon Walker, who was on board the ISS Shuttle as it passed over Ireland on Monday last at 27,000 kms per hour while orbiting the earth.
“I was really honoured to have been present in the school to be part of this historic occasion and to have heard the excellent questions put forward to Dr Walker by the students. The signal was exceptionally strong where as the astronaut’s detailed responses to all questions could be clearly heard.
“This particular project has clearly outlined the importance and relevance to the students of the STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and I would like to pay tribute to Ms Eileen Donohue Principal of Athlone Community College, staff members and indeed all students for not only putting Athlone on the world map but indeed, attaining universal status,” Cllr Keena concluded.
