A group of fourth and fifth grade students attending the Mooresville Graded School District’s two intermediate schools experienced an extraordinary event today, connecting live with NASA astronaut Suni Williams aboard the International Space Station (ISS) where she has been since June 2024. The unique opportunity allowed students to ask questions and learn firsthand about life and work in space.
The event, facilitated through a collaboration between NASA and the school, was a special opportunity for the students and provided a real-world connection to STEM careers, as well as highlighted a woman in STEM aligned with the upcoming Women’s History Month in March.
Astronaut Williams made sure to show students the planet earth through a window at the International Space Station and shared that they experience 16 sunrises and sunsets in a day on the ISS. She also gave the students a tour of their laboratory on the ISS. The students were amused watching her do flips and “fly” through the space station.
During the video call, students asked Astronaut Williams a variety of questions, including:
How do you stay active in space and do you sweat? (Mason – 5th grade – EMIS)
Astronaut Williams explained that they have a bike and a treadmill (the treadmill is located on the wall) that works using bungees that attach to a harness. They also have a resistance machine to assist with maintaining bone density since bones start to deteriorate in space. She also said that they sweat a lot!
What is an unforgettable memory on your spacewalk? (Harshitha – 5th grade – EMIS)
Astronaut Williams said when she was over the northern hemisphere and looking down and watching the aurora borealis from above, instead of looking up from earth, it was amazing.
What does it feel and sound like in outer space when on a spacewalk? (Andrew – 5th grade – MIS)
Astronaut Williams told the students that it feels hot when the sun comes up. She described how a space suit has 17 layers because it is approximately 250 degrees Fahrenheit outside of the ISS in space. Likewise, it feels cold when the sun goes down because it swings to about -250 degrees Fahrenheit. She said that you do not hear anything in space unless you can put your hand on it and feel the vibration because sound is the result of a vibration.
What are you looking forward to most when you return to earth? (Will – 4th grade – MIS)
Astronaut Williams said seeing her family again. She said a close second is experiencing rain falling on her head, as well as laying down to go to sleep.
“This was an incredible experience for our students,” said Jason Gardner, MGSD Superintendent. “To see and speak with an astronaut in space is something they will never forget. We are so grateful to NASA, Astronaut Williams, and everyone who helped make this possible.”
The Mooresville Graded School District is committed to providing its students with enriching educational experiences that foster a love of learning and exploration. This event with Astronaut Williams is a testament to the school’s dedication to STEM education.
NASA Experience:
Selected as an astronaut by NASA in June 1998, she reported for training in August 1998. Astronaut Candidate Training included orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness survival techniques. Following a period of training and evaluation, Williams worked in Moscow with the Russian Space Agency on the Russian contribution to the space station and with the first Expedition Crew. Following the return of Expedition 1, Williams worked within the Robotics branch on the station’s Robotic Arm and the follow-on Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator. As a NEEMO2 crew member, she lived underwater in the Aquarius habitat for 9 days. After her first flight, she served as Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office. She then supported a long-duration mission as Flight Engineer for Expedition 32 and International Space Station Commander for Expedition 33. Williams has spent a total of 322 days in space over the course of her two missions. With 50 hours and 40 minutes, she is second on the list of total cumulative spacewalk time by a female astronaut. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024 for its first crewed flight, arriving at the space station on June 6. Following the agency’s decision to return Starliner uncrewed, the duo is currently living and working aboard the space station as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew and will return home in February 2025 aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
Spaceflight Experience:
Expedition 14/15 (December 9, 2006 to June 22, 2007). Williams launched with the crew of STS-116 on December 9, 2006, docking with the International Space Station on December 11, 2006. As a member of the Expedition 14 crew, Williams served as Flight Engineer. While onboard, she established a world record for females with four spacewalks totaling 29 hours and 17 minutes. (Astronaut Peggy Whitson subsequently broke the record in 2008 with a total of five spacewalks). Williams concluded her tour of duty as a member of the Expedition 15 crew returning to Earth with the STS-117 crew to land at Edwards Air Force Base, California on June 22, 2007. Expedition 32/33 (July 14 to November 18, 2012). Williams launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, along with Russian Soyuz commander Yuri Malenchenko and Flight Engineer Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, on July 14, 2012. They were welcomed on the International Space Station on July 17, 2012, by NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba and Russian cosmonauts, Expedition 32 commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin. Williams spent four months conducting research and exploration aboard the orbiting laboratory. She landed in Kazakhstan on November 18, 2012, after spending 127 days in space. During their Expedition, Williams and Hoshide performed three spacewalks to replace a component that relays power from the space station’s solar arrays to its systems, and repair an ammonia leak on a station radiator. With 50 hours and 40 minutes, Williams once again held the record for total cumulative spacewalk time by a female astronaut (has since been overtaken by Peggy Whitson with 10 spacewalks). Williams has spent a total of 322 days in space.
Awards/Honors:
Awarded DSSM (2), Legion of Merit, Awarded Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and various other service awards.
Organizations:
Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Society of Flight Test Engineers, American Helicopter Association.
Pronunciation: SUN-ee-tah WILL-yums
