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‘It’s not scary’: Astronaut on ISS inspires Raleigh students to pursue careers in space

Koichi Wakata loves being in space, but the veteran astronaut told Brentwood Elementary School students that he’s looking forward to a long bath when he returns to Earth in March.

Wakata, who is currently serving on the International Space Station, answered a lightning round series of questions Thursday from the Raleigh school’s students about what it’s like to live and work in space. That includes the challenge of living on less than a gallon of water per day per person on the space station.

“We do not have enough water to take a shower or a bath, so I really dream of taking a hot bath sometimes,” said Wakata, 59, a senior advisor and astronaut for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Instead of a shower, astronauts on the International Space Station squeeze liquid soap and water from pouches onto their skin, according to the National Air and Space Museum. They use rinseless soap with a little water to clean their hair. They use towels to wipe off the excess water.

Koichi Wakata take a photo with fresh fruit that was brought to the International Space Station in this 2014 photo. Wataka, who is currently onboard the ISS, spoke with students at Brentwood Elementary School in Raleigh, N.C., via ham radio on Jan. 26, 2023.
Koichi Wakata take a photo with fresh fruit that was brought to the International Space Station in this 2014 photo. Wataka, who is currently onboard the ISS, spoke with students at Brentwood Elementary School in Raleigh, N.C., via ham radio on Jan. 26, 2023.

Inspiring STEM careers

Thursday’s ham radio call was made possible by the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. ARISS helps connect students with astronauts to try to inspire an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects and STEM careers.

“I look across all you kids today and know that it is possible that one of you might be the first person to set foot on Mars,” Tony Rice, a NASA Ambassador, told the 400 students who packed into Brentwood’s gym to hear Wakata.

Brentwood was chosen by ARISS because of the Raleigh magnet school’s engineering theme. The school provides special engineering classes that help students think and learn about engineering as part of everyday life.

“It was really cool asking the astronaut questions and getting answers,” said Drew Dunn-El, 9, a fourth-grade student.

Students at Brentwood Elementary School in Raleigh, N.C. line up on Jan. 26, 2023 to ask questions via ham radio to astronaut Koichi Wakata, who is serving on the International Space Station.
Students at Brentwood Elementary School in Raleigh, N.C. line up on Jan. 26, 2023 to ask questions via ham radio to astronaut Koichi Wakata, who is serving on the International Space Station.

‘Once in a million years chance’

Wakata had plenty of experiences to talk about. He has completed multiple missions in space, including becoming the first Japanese commander of the International Space Station in 2014.

“It’s not scary as we are all trained to cope with any problems that we may encounter when we live and work in space,” Wakata told the students.

Wakata, who has been on the International Space Station since October, said the toughest part of being in space is being separated from his family. But that has not stopped him from going on multiple missions since 1996.

“The best thing is being able to work with my great crewmates everyday in and outside of the space station,” he said. “I’m proud to be part of such a wonderful group.”

The students said they won’t forget this experience.

“It’s really, really special,” said Mae Ryals, 8, a third-grader who was chosen to ask questions. “My teacher said this was like once in a million years chance and it was just amazing that I got picked for this.”