ISS Spacemen Offer NI Careers Advice

Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) have swapped 'space walks for career talks' as they teamed up with high-flying NI students.

A group of six specialists on the high-tech satellite, which is orbiting 220 miles above the Earth, took time from complex space operations to encourage learners at the South West College in Enniskillen to aim high and fulfil career ambitions.

During the rare radio contact, participants had a chance to put questions directly to the Station Commander and his flight engineers in 'real time' and hear how they gained senior positions in space exploration.

Mamraz Nagi, Careers Officer at South West College, said he hoped the exciting link up would inspire students to keep pursuing their career goals: "This project has been about flaring imaginations and showing that ambition and determination can bring extraordinary results.

"It's not every day that students have the chance to speak with people whose work is literally out of this world," he said.

"The fact is that competition for jobs is getting tougher and for anyone starting out in their chosen field it is critical to stay motivated and focused on achieving their goals. Even astronauts have had to combine hard graft with natural talent to clinch their roles."

The rare opportunity followed more than six months of careful planning and collaboration between South West College, NASA and Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS).

Malachy McAleer, Director at South West College, said: "This is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students and a landmark achievement for the college.

"ARISS receives countless proposals each week from groups and organisations across the globe, but it has only a few contact opportunities on each space station mission.

"Every day our careers' team provide world-class guidance and support to more than 20,000 students across our four campuses," he said, noting "their ability to motivate and inspire is an example of how we are committed to giving our students the best learning experiences with creative thinking and innovative partnerships".

During the 'downlink' contact, students asked questions about life on the station and recent operations including one of the longest-ever spacewalks, which was undertaken last week and took more than eight hours to complete.

The ISS is a joint international effort between space agencies in Canada, Europe, Japan, USA and Russia.

Construction began in 1998 and is scheduled to be completed in mid-2012 following, which it will remain in operation until 2028.

The spacecraft is frequently visible - with the naked eye - from Earth, as long as observers are in a shaded place away from very bright lights, such as streetlamps.

It will routinely be in sight around dusk or dawn, - orbiting the earth in a little over one hour - and is visible when light is refracted from the setting or rising sun to bring the ISS into clear view as it passes across the sky - normally from west to east.

It is even possible to view other 'visitors' with the Space Shuttle - which up until last month was the service vehicle for the crew - also coming into sight on rare occasions.

The website www.heavens-above.com offers free guidance on where and when to look once users have logged in with their individual co-ordinates.

See: Space Station On View

See: ISS

(BMcC/GK)