ASTRONAUTS IN THE CLASSROOM @POLIMI

During the IAC 2024 week held in Milan, on 16 October, Politecnico di Milano had the honour of hosting a side event of the International Astronauts Chapter, jointly organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI), whose protagonists were five international astronauts:

• Anthea Comellini, Italian ESA reserve astronaut, Alumna PoliMi;
• Andrea Patassa, ESA captain and Italian reserve astronaut;
• Franco Malerba, first Italian in space aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis;
• Hazzaa Ali AlMansoori, first Emirate astronaut in space, part of the MBRSC;
• Sara Sabry, first Arab woman in space with Blue Origin, Alumna PoliMi.

The team of astronauts was welcomed at the Wind Tunnel of the Politecnico di Milano (GVPM), one of the University's Great Research Infrastructures, and after a tour led by Prof. Alex Zanotti, they were accompanied to the lecture hall, where a talk was moderated by Prof. Pierluigi Di Lizia and introduced by Prof. Isabella Nova, Executive Vice-Chancellor of the Politecnico di Milano, Prof. Marco Lovera, Director of the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology and Prof. Franco Bernelli Zazzera, Rector's Delegate for International Relations of the School of Industrial Sciences and Information Engineering.

Attendees had the unique opportunity to ask questions directly to the astronauts, getting valuable answers on topical issues, from space economics to the physical and mental challenges of life in orbit.

Guests shared their experiences in space and talked about the technologies currently being tested and used in orbit, inspiring future scientists and engineers to pursue their passions and consider careers in space.

Meet the Astronauts! was a real success, attracting 700 students in attendance and over 120 online.

Meet the Astronauts! was a real success, attracting 700 students in attendance and over 120 online.

The meeting between students and astronauts was a moment of inspiration and mutual learning. With the growth of the space economy and the future challenges of exploration, it is clear that the involvement of the younger generation will be crucial. The students were urged to dream big and actively contribute to a future where humanity can explore and thrive in space.