Space-savvy students from across the nation who are deaf, blind, hearing and visually impaired and their mentors will have a unique opportunity this week to connect with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The Earth-to-space call will air live at 10:40 a.m. EDT Wednesday, May 19, on NASA Television, theNASA app, and the agencyswebsite.
NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet will answer prerecorded video questions collected by SciAccess, which works to promote disability inclusion in astronomy and STEM, and the Ohio State University Department of Astronomy. SciAccess and Ohio State have partnered to create Zenith, a mentorship program for blind high school students who are passionate about space.
The call is designed to promote inclusion in space and announce Mission: AstroAccess, the newest SciAccess project, which aims to pave the way for space explorers with disabilities. The Zenith scholars, and students and teachers from schools serving learners across America who are deaf or blind, have submitted questions for the call.
