UP students interview astronaut in space station

Roman Catholics honor today the life and works of the patron saint of the Christian youth – Saint Aloysius Gonzaga.

In the country, commemorative rites and festivities in honor of the revered Italian saint will be observed in San Luis, Agusan del Sur; Caluag, Quezon; San Fernando, Pampanga; and at the St. Louis University in Baguio City.

In Rome, Italy, pilgrims and devotees traditionally gather for the religious services and procession at the Church of St. Ignatius, where the well-venerated saint was buried.

Born in 1568 in a castle in Castiglione, Italy, St. Aloysius’ first spoken words were the holy names of Jesus and Mary. He taught catechism to poor children and was a great devotee of the Blessed Mother. In 1591, while serving the sick as a Jesuit student during a plague in Milan, Italy, he contracted the disease and died at the young age of 23.

Filipino students achieved a milestone with an interview of an astronaut in the International Space Station (ISS).

Grade 11 and college students from the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS)and electronics engineering students from the Holy Angel University (HAU) made the historical feat at the Department of Science and Technology-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) last May.

To their delight, they were able to talk to Scott Tingle, an astronaut from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The ISS serves as space environment laboratory for various experiments and testing of spacecraft systems and equipment required for missions.

At approximately 4:20 p.m., Philippine time, DOST-ASTI successfully touched base with the ISS and Scott Tingle. In the 10minute call, all 12 participants were able to ask their questions and receive enthusiastic and insightful answers from Tingle.

“The approximately 10 minutes that Mr. Scott Tingle gave us is now a part of our history, and I am very thankful to be part of that history. Laus Deo Semper (Praise be to God always),” said Angela Kaye Tacang, another Holy Angel University student.

This was a follow-up to the first attempt that failed in February this year.

“This historic event was emotionally fulfilling and inspirational. Though the first attempt [was a failure], it just proved that there should be no reason to not repeatedly try until there is success,” said Mariangela J. Miranda, one of the participating HAU students in the live question and answer session.

“Many people have worked hard to accomplish such a remarkable project and I want to thank them for letting us experience something that we could share to others—that we’ve heard and learned how astronauts live and face challenges in space. It also inspired us to pursue our education so we can reach our dreams just like how they reached theirs. It’s going to be a very long ride they say, but it’s all worth it in the end.”

DOST Balik-Scientist Engr. Leo Almazan moderated the session explaining that the contact to the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) was an activity designed to provide students with “unique, authentic experiences designed to enhance student learning” in the STEM fields and this was done through a direct link to the astronauts aboard the space station.

He also explained that the previous attempt to make a live contact with the ISS failed due to illegal ham radio users that were interfering with the communication link used by the UP Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute Amateur Radio and Satellite Station in communicating with the ISS.

Engr. Almazan added that the second attempt which succeeded was coursed through the ARISS telebridge. DOST-ASTI connected with Amateur Station W6SRJ in California, USA and the station established a communication link with the ARISS.

While waiting for the actual call, Engr. Almazan prepped the students by making them rehearse their questions. PHL-Microsat Project 1 engineer Ariston Gonzalez also gave a presentation on space technology in the Philippines, Diwata-1, and Diwata-2.

The PHL-Microsat is a DOST-funded program built, launched, and effectively used the country’s first microsatellite for multi-spectral Earth observation. The program is a collaboration among the University of the Philippines, Tohoku University, Hokkaido University, and DOST-ASTI.

UPIS student Christian Sarabia said he feels “as if space is within reach—despite its physical distance.” He also noted how he discovered that even people from different disciplines can contribute to help the country move forward.

Alexandra Arugay, also a UPIS student, said that with the college entrance exams coming, this experience has helped solidify what she wants to become: an engineer for space (initiatives).

“After speaking to the astronaut, obviously I got inspiration as to what I want to be in the future. It’s so inspiring,” she said.