Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino interacted with students of PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya in New Delhi on Thursday, sharing insights into space exploration and India’s growing role in global space missions.
During his visit, Massimino explored the school’s advanced facilities, including the AR-VR Lab, Atal Tinkering Lab, and the language lab. Engaging with students, he praised India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, highlighting its significance in lunar exploration and its contributions to understanding potential water sources on the Moon’s South Pole—critical for future habitation.
“The Chandrayaan mission was amazing. India has a lot to offer. Many Indian students in the US are exceptionally smart and hardworking,” he said, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in space research.
Massimino also shared his personal journey to becoming an astronaut, revealing that a film about seven astronauts had inspired his career path. He answered students’ questions about space travel, describing life in zero gravity, astronaut diets, and the technological advancements shaping space missions. When asked about artificial intelligence (AI) in space exploration, he explained that AI would enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve safety in future missions.
Discussing human colonization beyond Earth, Massimino noted that while a Moon base could become a reality in the near future, settling on Mars remains a distant goal due to technological hurdles.
The session left students inspired as Massimino advised them on the key subjects and skills required for a career in space science, stressing the importance of disciplines such as soil sciences and marine biology. He also reflected on his most challenging projects at NASA, including spacewalking missions for the Hubble Space Telescope.
Mike Massimino, a veteran of two space shuttle missions, holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has been recognized with several NASA honors, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. He was also the first person to tweet from space.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Joint Commissioner (Pers) Somit Shrivastava, Deputy Commissioner (Academics) BK Behra, and other officials from the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.
(Inputs from ANI)