Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 07/02) - Two hundred and twenty students from Joamie School in Iqaluit made contact with astronauts on board the International Space Station Alpha a week ago.

Zaima Abushewashi, left, and Killaq Enuaraq-Strauss are in Grade 1 at Joamie school. They're waiting to hear the voice of an astronaut in space. - Christine Kay/NNSL photo

The space station passed over Johannesburg just as amateur radio connected the students to a voice which travelled all the way from outer space.

Judy Laisa in Grade 5 was the seventh of 12 lucky students to ask astronaut Peggy Whitson a question.

"I told my mom I'm gonna ask a question to an astronaut, and she didn't believe me. I was so nervous," said Laisa.

Although the connection was blurry, Whitson heard Laisa's questions.

"How does the space station stay up in space?" she asked.

There was a lot of static during the response but everyone in Joamie school's gymnasium knew where it was coming from.

"The students did a very wonderful job. Our students' voices travelled out into the universe and beyond," said Nunavut's Education Minister, Peter Kilabuk.

Almost every student in the gym, which was decorated like the solar system, wanted to visit space. This experience brought many of them closer to their dream.

Simonie Alainga is in Grade 1 at Joamie. He was the sun in a little play his class put on for the event, but he really wants to visit one of the solar system's planets.

"Me, I would go to Pluto 'cause I'm hot all the time. It's cold on Pluto because it's the furthest from the sun," said Alainga.

Everyone in the gym including students, parents, and guests ended the space contact with a real Nunavummiut goodbye. They all said together, "Nakumiik, 73 ISS."

To make sure students could benefit fully from the experience, a written transcript of their conversation will be provided to anyone who wants one.