Sarasota Military Academy Cadets Speak With Astronaut Aboard the International Space Station

Cadets at Sarasota Military Academy spoke with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station on Thursday, using an amateur radio link to connect with the orbiting crew member.

Members of the school's amateur radio club tracked the station with rooftop antennas as it passed over the area. Once contact was established, students took turns putting questions about life in orbit to NASA astronaut Luke Delaney.

One student, Chris, asked how seeing Earth from above affects a person's view of everyday problems. Delaney said the vantage point changes how a person looks at everything. "Some of the problems that you thought were big are actually much smaller," he said, describing it as a huge shift in perspective on life.

Another student, George, called the exchange surreal. He said nerves set in, but that it was an amazing opportunity. Talking with someone in space, he said, left him struggling to find the words to describe it.

Instructor John Geimer described the achievement as the "cumulation of a lot of preparation, a lot of practice and a whole lot of luck."

The club has a long history at the school. George Becht started it in 2009, and he said Geimer called him in 2023 to ask for help rebooting the program. Becht, who said he had just turned 80, said taking part in something like this at his age was exciting. He said watching the contact unfold felt incredible.

Members of the Tamiami Amateur Radio Club from Venice helped set up two ground stations for the event. Steven Phillips of that group said the students did a good job and that their practice paid off, noting that the technology worked when everything came together.

Becht said the school will now be known in space on the satellites. He said the club has all the gear it needs and plans to use it and keep learning, calling the contact a big feat. Club members have previously communicated with radio operators in other countries, including Italy.

FOX 13 Tampa Bay reporter Kimberly Kuizon gathered the information for the original report, recording interviews and statements in the Sarasota Military Academy classroom from Geimer, student participants and Tamiami Amateur Radio Club representatives.