“Hello, space station? This is CERAM Business School.” On Thursday the 29th, a handful of students from the business school in Sophia Antipolis were able to speak with Michael Fincke, an American astronaut, live from an international space station. The connection was unusual, as it was made via radio while the station was 370 kilometers above Australia.
Thanks to Daniel Thomas, a ham radio enthusiast and currently a student at the American University in Washington, this connection was made possible. The young man had sponsored the application with Gaston Bertels, who is in charge of the amateur radio association: ARRIS. After postponing the interview twice, the third time was successful.
At 3:52 PM, the first students began and took turns asking their questions, each ending with the essential “Over”. However, about ten questions later, the reception turned out to be poor, the responses were inaudible, and only the astronaut’s “next question” could be heard. Despite this, the experience will remain unforgettable for the students present in that amphitheater.
