Join Us Live With Astronauts Aboard The International Space Station

Watch astronauts answer student questions about space research and daily life aboard the Station—live from space!

Science Friday Live! From The International Space Station

  • When: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm ET (tentative)
  • Where: On NASA + and NASA Live
  • Tickets: FREE!

RSVP for Jan 14!


Astronauts Don Pettit and Butch Wilmore pack external research hardware
Astronauts Don Pettit and Barry “Butch” Wilmore aboard the space station. Credit: NASA Johnson

Have you ever wanted to ask an astronaut about what it’s really like to live and work in space? Well, now’s your chance. Science Friday is partnering with NASA for a very special In-Flight Downlink this January, where we’ll connect with astronauts Don Pettit and Butch Wilmore, on the International Space Station (ISS), who will answer student questions LIVE in real time!

Educators across the country will be hosting watch parties during the live Q&A as they participate in hands on science and engineering based on space station research. Twenty-five lucky groups will be selected to receive a class kit of project materials for up to 30 children! RSVP today to request a kit.


The official insignia of the Expedition 72 crew that will live and work aboard the International Space Station for a six-month space research mission beginning in late 2024. The simple patch design highlights the configuration of the orbital laboratory with its six roll-out solar arrays augmenting the station's power generation system.
Mission insignia for International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 72. Credit: NASA

The NASA In-Flight Education Downlink program connects K-12 students with astronauts aboard the ISS for live question-and-answer sessions about living and working in space. Learners, working with Science Friday educators and families, will create questions for the Expedition 72 crew and record short videos asking their questions. During the live event, NASA will share these videos and astronauts will answer them. On average, the crew answers 14-17 questions per 20-minute Downlink event.

Anyone can watch the live event on January 14th, and we encourage you to plan watch parties and celebrate this exciting opportunity! Our Educator’s Guide will provide the information you need to craft questions for the astronauts as well as educational activities and projects you can do with your learners. We also have a variety of audio and video content with astronauts, space researchers, and scientists to inspire learners and spark fun conversations. Plus, we invite you to join the Down To Earth Community Lab today, where you can meet your fellow space explorers to ask questions, share out-of-this-world ideas, and forge new friendships in a family-friendly online environment.

Download Educator’s Guide

Need help? Need disability or language accommodations? Send us an email at educate@sciencefriday.com.


Meet the Writer

About Sandy Roberts

Sandy Roberts is Science Friday’s Education Program Manager, where she creates learning resources and experiences to advance STEM equity in all learning environments. Lately, she’s been playing with origami circuits and trying to perfect a gluten-free sourdough recipe.

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