The junior writers caught up with the latest news in space expeditions space- Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will have to wait for Space X launch for a ride home.
Most children find space absolutely fascinating. They also have a good understanding of what going to space entails and the challenges involved. Our little discussion at the Young Writers’ Club Jr. program began with a brief introduction the astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. Interestingly, children in India were familiar with Sunita Williams as their school textbooks had covered her story. One of the children also talked about watching a YouTube video of Sunita Williams talking about what it is like to live aboard the International Space Station in near zero gravity situaton. Others joining from the U.S were less familiar but nevertheless eager to learn more.
Little tidbits of information
Although most of them did not know about the expedition that led these two astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), some of them had heard something about them being stranded somewhere in space.
It was an absolute delight to see all the children tuned in, armed with questions to learn more about what happened.
To kickstart the discussion, we also spoke about space tourism and the ongoing competition between Boeing and Space X to build a charter flight that can carry tourists to space with ease and can be reused within short durations multiple times. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore travelled in Boeing Star Liner (a charter flight that can be used upto 10 times in a six month duration) to the ISS. They were scheduled to stay there for eight days and return to earth. But there was a change in schedule and they have to stay there for six months.
Questions about space tourism
Clearly, the concept of space tourism was unheard of in the group.
They were curious to know how ordinary civilians could travel to space without any training.
“Would they also undergo rigorous fitness tests?”
“How would they know how to handle themselves in zero gravity situations?”
“Astronauts wear heavy duty suits that are heavy. How can ordinary civilians wear that and handle themselves?”
Questions that probably don’t have answers that have been found yet.
At the moment only 3 rich civilians have travelled to space. This was subject to a lot of scrutiny for a number of reasons.
Setting the context
Boeing’s Starliner perhaps is predominantly meant for astronauts alone but could extend to a possibility of civilians travelling to space. That of course is a distant possibility as of today.
Two astronauts stranded in space. Why are they going to stay on for 6 months when the initial schedule was 8 days? What could have happened?
“Fuel ran out?”
“Part went missing?”
“Repairs?”
Fact: Boeing Starliner experienced helium leaks and a malfunction making it impossible for the crew to come back to earth.
What can be done?
Children have the unique ability to work on a clean slate and come up with fresh ideas. Not just that, they can build connections with what they have read, seen or heard elsewhere, with ease.
“ Why not send another spacecraft?”
“Solving the problem on the Starline may take time. Why not send another one?
“It costs a lot of money to launch a spacecraft. Not possible.”
“Weren’t there tests done prior to launch?"
Faciliator’s input: Tests were done- failures occurred and corrections were made.
“I wonder how were the tests conducted? We can’t send an animal into space like they did before. It accounts for animal cruelty.”
Filling in facts from the latest news to complete the discussion
Boeing was to fix the malfunction and bring them back home. NASA took the decision recently not to rely on Starliner and instead wait for the Space X Crew 9 launch in 2025 to bring the astronauts back home.
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