Students 'ham' it up with ISS

PALM COAST ---If you know where you're looking, you can spot the International Space Station streak overhead.

But a group of students and amateur radio enthusiasts did one better.

They spoke with astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

The gymnasium at Indian Trails Middle School was packed when just after 1:05 p.m. Friday a radio crackled.

“Whisky 4, Fox Papa Charlie. Over? Fox Papa Charlie, NA1SS, I've got you weak but I can hear you.”

That was Ridge Gardner with the Flagler Palm Coast Amateur Radio Club and astronaut Sunita Williams establishing a radio link between the International Space Station and the school.

Once the line was open, about 20 kids were able to ask Williams about life in space and aboard the floating outpost.

After the event, Ridge Gardner joked that despite about eight run-throughs, a part of him was surprised it actually worked.

“When Commander Williams came back to me, I just kind of went 'whoa. This is great!' I thought...it was wonderful.”

The club has been trying for a while to make this a reality.

In the moments before the meet-up, scheduled to last just ten minutes, Mike Lee who served as a sort of mission commander for the group said the goal is simple.

“If we can inspire just one child to perhaps become the next astronaut from Flagler County, wouldn't that be cool?”

Brendon DiCerbo is an eighth grader at Indian Trails Middle School and worked hard to help make the event happen.

He was just about to step to the mic to ask his question when contact was lost.

Although a bit disappointed at missing his chance to talk to the ISS, DiCerbo said that didn't dampen the importance of the brief conversation with space.

“STEM is an extremely important thing, Science-Technology-Engineering and Math. It's a very important thing for people to have and to know and there's a lot of career opportunities,” said DiCerbo.

Something else these kids can take away from this event is when it comes to learning, the sky is no longer the limit.

Friday's radio meet-up was one of the last events Commander Suni Williams will take part in aboard the ISS.

She hands over command Saturday and then heads back to Earth Monday.