Austin, Texas Students to Speak to Space Station Astronaut

[NASA News Releases <hqnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

February 12, 2016  MEDIA ADVISORY M16-011 Austin, Texas Students to Speak to Space Station Astronaut NASA astronaut Tim Kopra sets up hardware for the Burning and Suppression of Solids – Milliken, or BASS-M, experiment on the International Space Station. The BASS-M investigation tests flame-retardant cotton fabrics to determine how well they resist burning in microgravity. Results benefit research on flame-retardant textiles that can be used on Earth and in space. Credits: NASA Students from the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) charter schools in Austin, Texas will have the opportunity to speak with a NASA astronaut currently living and working on the International Space Station at 11:55 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The 20-minute, Earth-to-space call will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website. During the event, hosted by the Bullock Texas State History Museum, Austin native and Expedition 46 Flight Engineer Tim Kopra, who launched to the station on Dec. 15 will answer questions from second, fifth and sixth grade students from KIPP Austin Obras Elementary and KIPP Austin Vista Middle School. Media interested in covering the event should contact Elizabeth Page at elizabeth.page@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. The Bullock Texas State History Museum is located at 1800 Congress Avenue. This in-flight education downlink is an integral component of the NASA Office of Education’s efforts to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teaching and learning in the United States. Linking students directly to astronauts aboard the space station through the agency Office of Education’s STEM on Station activity provides authentic, live experiences in space exploration, space study and the scientific components of space travel, while introducing the possibilities of life in space. For NASA TV streaming video, schedule and downlink information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv For more information, videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the International Space Station, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education/stemstation -end- NASA news releases and other information are available automatically by sending an e-mail message with the subject line subscribe to hqnews-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. To unsubscribe from the list, send an e-mail message with the subject line unsubscribe to hqnews-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.