In January, Scouts BSA Troop 551, Gardner, had the incredible opportunity to connect with astronaut Suni Williams during her time aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Currently on her third mission, Williams gave the Scouts an exclusive tour of the station. After a brief loss of connection, she resumed the conversation while weightlessly floating in the ISS’s Cupola, the breathtaking observation area that offers stunning views of Earth and other celestial objects.
“I asked her what she misses about space when she is on Earth and what she misses about Earth when she is in space,” said Tony P.-S., a Tenderfoot in Troop 551. “She answered by saying that when she is in space, she misses her family and dogs, and when she is on Earth, she constantly wonders what science experiments are going on up there.”
What other Scouts had to say about their experience:
“My favorite part was the view of the earth because I got to see it from her camera view.”
From Jackson B., Tenderfoot, Troop 551
The space talk was really cool. I liked the room where the astronaut showed us the spacesuits and the hatch they’d go out to do a space walk. The suits were cool and even had a visor that acted like sunglasses that spun down with a knob. The exercise room was also awesome. The treadmill being on the wall was weird, though, and how they had no sense of up and down. How they ate food was really entertaining. The drink just floated up into a big bubble in the sky and was eaten out of mid-air.
Andrew T., Tenderfoot, Troop 551
“Speaking with Suni truly was an out-of-this-world experience,” said Tony. “This event inspired the Scouts to reach for the stars, reminding us all of the limitless possibilities in science and exploration.”
