Nevada Wing Civil Air Patrol Hosts Downlink With NASA Astronauts

RENO, Nev. - Jan. 5, 2022 - PRLog -- Civil Air Patrol's Nevada Wing hosted a downlink with astronauts Raja Chari and Kayla Barron live from the International Space Station (ISS).  Nevada Wing hosted the downlink with astronauts Raja Chari and Kayla Barron live from the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday, January 4.  Cadets asked the astronauts prepared questions that were broadcast live on NASA TV. Questions ranged from managing water and oxygen supply to how astronauts grow gardens in a microgravity environment. The astronauts also demonstrated how they drink water in space and new experimental technologies, such as Astrobees.

This NASA downlink was a first for Civil Air Patrol, with Nevada Wing leading such an event with the help of its Cadet Advisory Council. "We are excited and honored to give this opportunity to our cadets and hope that other Wings can follow in the future. What better way to learn aerospace than from those who are leaders of exploration in both the air and space domains," said C/LtCol Ivan Altunin of Douglas County Composite Squadron in Minden, Nevada,

For the cadets participating, this downlink allowed them an opportunity perfect for young adults interested in going into the aerospace industry. "I didn't think it was possible," said C/SMSgt Gavin Ashby, a cadet who spoke in the downlink, from Reno Composite Squadron in Reno.  "This opportunity is something I never thought could happen. It opened a new window to my perspective on life. It proved to me that anything is possible. I believe this opportunity shows the public that with a little hard work anything is possible. Thank you, NASA, for this eye opening opportunity!" The event inspired many cadets to want to learn more about space, with aerospace education being one of Civil Air Patrol's primary missions.

The astronauts themselves offered a word of advice for cadets,."I think the most important thing you'll see across our office and our colleagues is that everybody really did something that they were passionate about." said Kayla Barron after being asked about advice they would give to a young person trying to become an astronaut.

As a nonprofit organization, Civil Air Patrol plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. Members also serve as mentors to nearly 25,000 young people participating in CAP's Cadet Programs. One of the premier public service organizations in America, CAP benefits the nation with an estimated economic impact of $209 million annually.

https://nvwg.cap.gov