Working together in space
The theme for this year’s Space Week was Living in Space. Therefore, I began my workshop by looking at who exactly is living in space at the moment. A shoutout to the crew of the International Space Station was the first port of call. I highlighted their individual roles on board—conducting experiments, maintaining the station, and communicating with Earth—and provided an overview of what it’s like to survive on this weightless orbital platform. I pointed out to the children that the ISS crew all work together to keep the spacecraft working well. They all look after each other despite being from different countries—an example to us all here on Earth. The children were surprised to learn that the ISS is the same size as a GAA pitch. We had a look at the crew of the Chinese Tiangong space station, which is several times smaller than the ISS. Nevertheless, they are also working in space and learning how best to adapt to that experience.
Zero Gravity
To put across the difficulties of living in a weightless environment, I told the story of the day I met Mikhail Kornienko at Dunsink Observatory. In April 2011, I was there doing a drawing workshop for Russian children via an interpreter. Cosmonaut Kornienko was the guest of honour and was due to give a talk about his work. He had to give his entire presentation sitting down. Being unable to stand for prolonged periods was due to the effect of zero gravity on his muscles. Then again in March 2015, Mikhail and an American astronaut, Scott Kelly, spent one year aboard the ISS as a test to see what prolonged spaceflight would do to their bodies. I can’t imagine the toll that year took out of both men.
3 cheers for the ISS
Obviously, I had to speak about some of the many developments that came from living in space, the good news, so to speak. Over two decades as a unique laboratory, the ISS has transferred outstanding technology back to Earth. Water filtration systems that turn wastewater into drinkable water. These systems help in disaster zones and in developing areas around the world. Plus, the ISS solar panels have influenced the creation of lightweight solar panels for homes on Earth. These are just two of the many innovations now used in everyday life on our planet.
Ireland and Living in Space
To bring the focus back to Ireland and specifically Co Mayo, I introduced our first astronaut, Norah Patten. She is training to go to the edge of space in 2026. Norah and her team will fly on Virgin Galactic’s Delta-class spacecraft. They will conduct several experiments during the short time they are weightless. Their suits will have many sensors to measure how their bodies respond to zero gravity. Norah has just completed her 100th training flight in preparation for her New Year’s space adventure. Norah will also test a new Irish invention which measures the effects of head impacts. Ouch!
Shackleton
To further connect the children’s experience to space, I commented on the explorer Ernest Shackleton. He was born near Athy in Co. Kildare in 1874. Shackleton became one of the most respected Antarctic explorers. He and his crews may as well have been going to the moon as heading off to the Antarctic. In those days, you either returned home or died trying to reach your goals in the extreme environment of the South Pole regions.
Several years ago, I went to see an exhibition of Shackleton’s expeditions at the library in Athy. I felt the jackets they wore, thin material similar to tent cloth. How they kept warm and survived is beyond me. Shackleton’s explorations inspired my little audience, who were delighted that the IAU recognised Ernest’s bravery and humanity. An enormous crater has been named for him on the south pole of the moon. Echoing his missions to the South Pole of our planet.
Moon Village
After the presentation on living in space, we looked ahead. A moon village with little home domes and a little space cruise at the end of the week for the hard-working astronauts. It was great fun, and a few children also asked very serious environmental questions about the ISS’s demise into the ocean. The drawing aspect was a blend of future reality and a little fantasy, for fun. The children were invited to draw their own versions of the spacecraft that would bring the hard-working astronauts on a trip every so often, so they could see their home planet properly. The European Space Agency made a video about the potential moon village in or near Shackleton Crater in the future.
I made a short video to give the children an idea of what I meant.
And they all produced excellent drawings while learning even more about living in space.
