By Nathan Duke
Staff Writer

Brionne Turcotte takes her turn to ask a question to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, April 13. Maple Avenue Elementary School fourth-graders had to abandon the project two weeks ago due to technical difficulties, but all systems were go for the second attempt. Jim Heedles, at right, of Spaceflight Satellite Sytems in Bedford, helped make the connection a success. (Nathan Duke Photo)

For once, Maple Avenue teachers were glad that their students' minds were all in outer space.

After a failed attempt at contacting the International Space Station (ISS) two weeks ago, fourth-grade teacher Georgia Paris, Principal Mark Boyd, Spaceflight Satellite Systems and an auditorium filled with anxious fourth-grade students made a second attempt on Wednesday, April 13, to contact the astronauts.

During the first attempt, students lined up to ask the astronauts questions, but no connection could be made. This time, their questions were answered.

Astronaut Leroy Chiao, of Danville, Calif., answered questions from aboard the ISS, as a gym full of excited students listened intently.

Principal Boyd said the students were even better prepared for the second attempt at contact with the astronauts.

"The kids are professionals now," he said. "We have done a couple of dress rehearsals and now they are chomping at the bit."

Members of Spaceflight Satellite Systems, who helped conduct both connection attempts, speculated as to why they were unable to successfully make contact with the astronauts on the April 5 attempt.

Jim Heedles, who moderated questions to the astronauts from the students, said the equipment used on both dates had been used immediately before the April 5 attempt at a school in Canada. He said the box that transmits the audio to the astronaut.s radio appeared to have been popped open, most likely when it traveled through customs. One of the wires in the box had a slice in it that was nearly overlooked because it was so small.

"The natural twist of the cord covered the slice," he said. "When I finally noticed it, I was like, 'Oh God.' I was pretty bummed out. I'm really pleased it worked out this time."

Heedles was not alone in his excitement. Following the successful connection with the astronauts, Boyd asked the students how they felt. They responded on their feet with cheers.

Fourth-graders at Maple Avenue Elementary School show off the certificates they received that say they got to talk to the astronauts on the International Space Station. The students asked questions they wrote about life in space. (Nathan Duke Photo)

"You have made history today," Boyd told the students.

Paris, who has worked to make the conversation between the astronauts and the students happen for nearly three years, also said the successful connection came as a relief.

"I'm so ecstatic," she said. "This has been a long time coming."

Paris, Boyd and Heedles all said the school was lucky that it got a second chance to speak with the astronauts.

"Typically, if you miss the opportunity, then you miss it," said Boyd. "But how could anyone say 'no' to these kids?"

The students asked Chiao a variety of questions. Alex Holm was glad he finally was able to ask how heavy spacesuits are. He predicted he would be able to walk for one second in the suit before falling over, due to its heaviness.

Jessica Smith asked the astronauts how they could understand each other, considering that several of them are from nations other than the United States.

Philip Armstrong asked Chiao which was his favorite storm to watch on Earth from space.

Michael LaPlante.s question got a laugh from the audience: Have the astronauts ever been in an asteroid field?

"I think we would be in some pretty serious trouble if we had," said Chiao.

LaPlante said he got the idea for his question while watching a science fiction movie recently.

Riley Simmonds, an exchange student from China, asked Chiao why children did not accompany the missions to space. She said she would love to go to space, while most of her classmates said they would prefer to just attend space camp.

However, Simmonds had one condition.

"I'd like to go to space, but only if they eat pizza up there," she said.

As students stepped off the stage after asking Chiao their question, they were handed a memento of the day . a certificate that read, "I spoke to the astronauts aboard the space station."

"I'm never going to forget this," said fourth-grader Michael Sheehy to Principal Boyd as he filed out of the gym with his classmates.

Boyd smiled at Sheehy and examined his certificate.

"I don't want to see this on eBay," he told him.