In a one-of-a-kind event, around 150 students of Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, were trained to solve problems that most astronauts face during space travel. The lessons were imparted by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists and a retired astronaut Dominic A. Antonelli for four days.
The space education session was organised by Young Edsplorer Pvt. Ltd in collaboration with International Space School Educational Trust, UK (ISSET).
Mr. Antonelli, who was elected an astronaut candidate by NASA in July 2000, was the go-to person for students throughout the training session.
The astronaut had served in technical assignments until he was assigned as a pilot on the STS-119 mission, which launched on March 15, 2009. The flight delivered the final pair of power-generating solar array wings and truss element to the International Space Station.
Mr. Antonelli was also the pilot on the STS-132 mission, launched on May 14, 2010. The mission saw the delivery of the Russian Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM-1) to the International Space Station.
Expert talk
The experts informed the students about how NASA selects its team of astronauts and also spoke of the journey to Mars and life at International Space Station. The students also learnt a thing or two about pharmacology.
Speaking at the event, Skand Bali, principal of Hyderabad Public School, said, “Association with Young Edsplorer is another step in our mission at HPS to train students on less explored career paths. Our students are given an opportunity to do experiential education. And exposure to space travel and its ways at such a young age would really help them grow as individuals.”
Swati Wadhwan, director of Young Edsplorer, said, “Our goal is to give the most extreme youthful personalities a chance to investigate world and the environment around themselves.”
