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'Cumberland Elementary calling the International Space Station'

Elementary students ask astronauts questions

Updated: Wednesday, 31 Oct 2012, 12:51 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 30 Oct 2012, 4:02 PM EDT

Kyle Bloyd

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Cumberland Elementary students were able to reach the International Space Station via amateur radio.

About 600 kids and a few dozen parents were able to listen in as the school reached out to the space station.

They had a short window in which they would be able to contact the astronauts, but were able to ask nearly 20 questions about the International Space Station, the universe and the life of an astronaut.

Third-grade teacher and amateur radio operator David Brantley says the process of setting the communication up was a two- or three-year process, but was definitely worth it.

"How many kids get to say that when they go home? 'What did you do today at school?' 'I talked to the International Space Station.' That's awesome," said Brantley.

"I'm not sure that it can get much better than that. In my eyes, this was beautiful. This was perfect. This was better than I could have imagined."

Responding to the students' questions was astronaut, retired Air Force colonel and Indiana native Kevin Ford.

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