Radio contact from space with Thomas Pesquet: relive the adventure!
On Thursday 17 June 2021, local secondary school and university students from Université Paris-Saclay made radio contact with the astronaut Thomas Pesquet for approximately 10 minutes.
A unique moment for secondary school and university students
At 1.40 pm on 17 June 2021, aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Thomas Pesquet flew over the Université Paris-Saclay campus. To mark the occasion, radio contact was established with the ISS, giving local secondary school and university students the chance to ask the French astronaut their questions.
To allow as many as people as possible to enjoy this unique moment, Université Paris-Saclay organised a special event, hosted by Fred Courant, the presenter of the French science TV programme L’Esprit Sorcier, and Gilles Dawidowicz from the French Astronomical Society (SAF). The event was broadcast live on the University’s YouTube channel.
Live meetings, discussions and presentations
During the event, the former astronauts Claudie Haigneré and Michel Tognini shared their experiences on the ISS. The physical chemistry professor and researcher, Raphaël Haumont, presented the meals he prepared for Thomas Pesquet’s flight to space, with the Michelin-starred chef, Thierry Marx. Members of the European Space Agency (ESA), including Maria Gabriella Sarah, also explained how space missions are organised.
With a whole host of presentations, discussions and quizzes, the event was a true success. After a somewhat nerve-racking kick-off, the radio contact went smoothly. The audience present in the auditorium and the lucky few who had been chosen to ask the astronaut their questions were delighted!
A special thank you to the amateur radio club, without whom the radio contact would not have been possible!
Thank you to all of the participants, partners, the organising team, volunteers and of course Thomas Pesquet for this extraordinary event. OVER.
You can relive the event and the radio contact (radio contact at 1:07:00)
In the press:
- Essonne: des collégiens échangent avec Thomas Pesquet, BFM TV
- «Ici ISS, je vous entends très bien»: l’Essonne s’offre dix minutes dans l’espace avec Thomas Pesquet, Le Parisien
