This is mission control to Sippican School: Do you copy?

Based on student reaction to a visit from NASA Flight Director Chris Edelen the answer is, “loud and clear.”

On June 13, Edelen presented a slideshow of human exploration in the past, present, and far into the future. He impressed students with video shot aboard the International Space Station and artist renderings of Mars colonies and spaceships capable of interstellar travel.

“NASA takes public education very seriously. We want to inspire young people to seek employment in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” said Edelen. “When that happens the whole country benefits.”

Edelen, who works in NASA’s Mission Operations Directorate, told students his team monitors systems aboard the space station, now home to a six-member crew.

His presentation was open to the entire school. To prepare questions, Mrs. Bourgeois’ second grade students watched footage from the Mars rover “Curiosity.” Edelen’s nephew, Nathan Mezzanottee, is a student in the class.

The idea to invite Edelen came after Nathan visited his uncle at his workplace, the Johnson Space Center, located in Houston, Texas.

Edelen said his team supports the space station by ensuring electrical, oxygen, and computer systems operate properly. Through a video tour students learned how astronauts aboard the station spend their time. While the station orbits Earth 250 miles above the planet’s surface astronauts eat, sleep, and perform experiments. Mostly, they test how zero gravity affects human biology.

“Just like you, they study different areas of science,” he told students.

In the near future, NASA astronauts may land on an asteroid for research or return to the Moon, he said.

“When you guys are my age this is what you might be working on,” Edelen said. “Can you imagine going on vacation to the Moon?”

Right now, Edelen said NASA is focused on Mars. The presence of water and a thin atmosphere make the planet a candidate for terraforming. The technique, which is currently hypothetical, would transform that planet through the introduction of algae and other simple life forms. Over the course of 1,000 years Mars’ atmosphere may be able to support human life, he said.

Edelen also showed drawings of huge ships that may bring people out of the solar system and into the cosmos.

After the presentation, students asked about life aboard the station, space travel, and according to Edelen - the big question.

“How do people go to the bathroom in space? Well, there’s a very advanced recycling system that cleans urine and then that water is reused for drinking,” Edelen said. Students giggled at the answer, but not for long.

“Well, there’s no gravity in space,” Edelen continued. “So suction is used to pull out the waste material.”

Students reacted to the information in unison: “Ewww!”

Following the formal presentation students crowded around Edelen.

Second grade student Aila McEnroe asked how long it takes radio waves to reach the Moon from Earth.

When asked what her favorite part of the presentation was she didn’t hesitate to say, “Everything!”