Abu Dhabi pupils learn about life in space in talk with Nasa astronaut

Pupils at Brighton College Abu Dhabi enjoy video call with seasoned space traveller Michael Fincke

US astronaut Michael Fincke told pupils at Brighton College Abu Dhabi about his experiences in space. AFP

Pupils at an Abu Dhabi school learnt about the challenges of travelling through space in a video call with a Nasa astronaut.

Close to 200 children aged from 4 to 18 at Brighton College Abu Dhabi were given the lowdown on a life reaching for the stars by Michael Fincke, who once held the record for the most time spent in space by an American – a staggering 381 days.

The unique departure from the school timetable was particularly timely as the Hope probe's mission to Mars reaches its crucial final stages over the next week.

Enthused pupils prepared 100 questions for their special caller, but had enough time to ask only 25.

Christopher Greenfield, a physics teacher at the college organised the event to pique pupils' interest in space exploration.

Christopher Greenfield, physics teacher at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, organised a video call for pupils with US astronaut Michael Fincke.

"The UAE Space Agency is very active, particularly looking at the Mars mission," Mr Greenfield said.

"I have a strong interest in the current Mars mission and when pupils return to class, we will be following the developments.

"The space agency is at our doorstep and I want to get pupils involved."

The Hope probe is reaching the most complex part of its mission, which is the entry into orbit around Mars on February 9.

Mr Greenfield previously worked as a head teacher at Nasa's international space school where he interacted with many astronauts.

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  The Hope probe launches from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20. AFP

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  It will take the spacecraft, which later detached from the rocket, about 200 days to reach the Red Planet, arriving in February 2021. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

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  The launch of the rocket is captured on video at Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

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  The first homegrown Arab space mission drew in interest from across the globe. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

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  The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

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  Waiting for the launch in the morning light. MHI Launch Services twitter

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  Emirati journalists clap as they watch the launch of the Hope space probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP

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  A broadcasting of the launch of the Hope Mars probe at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP

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  An Emirati man wipes a tear away with his face mask while watching the launch of the Hope space probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP

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  Mohammed Al Mannaee, an announcer with Dubai TV, reacts as he watches the launch. AP

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  Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre

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  The UAE team watch the launch of the Mars Hope probe at at the Tanegashima Space Centre.

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  Sarah Al Ameeri and the UAE team watch the launch at at the Tanegashima Space Centre

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  A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP

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  Solid rocket booster (SRB-A) was separated after burnout during the launch of the H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Mars explore, are recorded by cameras onboard the rocket after the lauch from Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima, Japan. REUTERS

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  A screen broadcasts the launch of the Mars probe at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AFP

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  The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: MHI Launch Services

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  Omran Sharaf, the project director for the Hope space probe, speaks on his mobile phone at Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. AP

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  Sarah Al Ameeri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences of United Arab Emirates, celebrates with Naohiko Abe, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Senior Vice President, Head of Integrated Defence and Space Systems, after the successful launch of the H-2A rocket carrying the Hope Probe, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Mars explore, at Tanegashima Space Center on the island of Tanegashima, Japan. REUTERS

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  Emiratis are pictured at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai ahead of the expected launch of the "Hope" Mars probe from Japan. AFP

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  The weather was clear over Tanegashima Island in southern Japan on Sunday after weeks of rain and cloudy conditions. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

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  Emirati engineers wave in a picture taken on Sunday from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission / UAE Space Agency

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  The launch of the rocket from Japan's Tanegashima Space Centre. Screengrab courtesy MHI Launch Services

He wanted pupils to engage with astronauts so they could get a first-hand account of what it was like to be in space.

"I want my pupils to become astronauts and space explorers in the future," he said.

Pupils asked the astronaut about the most challenging thing about going to space, to which he answered it was missing his family.

They asked Mr Fincke about how birthdays are celebrated and what his favourite food in space was.

When asked about one thing he would like to take to the International Space Station, he said although it would not be possible he would love to take his family.

Mr Greenfield, who has a degree in astrophysics, said his class is following the UAE's Hope Probe closely.

Marta Galan Cano, 12, a Year 8t pupil, is just one youngster captivated by the Arab world's maiden journey to the Red Planet.

"I am very excited about the UAE Mars mission," she said.

"In our class, we had discussions on the work it would take to get to Mars."

Marta said she was excited about speaking to an astronaut who had been to space three times.

"We learnt a lot of things, like the fact that astronauts train in swimming pools," she said.

"He answered my question about how long one takes to recover after coming back from space."

Mr Fincke's answer was that it varied from four to six weeks depending on body type and height.

Tess Van De Veire, 12, a Year 7 pupil, said she asked Mr Fincke about how he coped with being away from his family.

"He said that in space, you are not allowed to text but you can have video conferences and calls quite often," she said.

"He said it was pretty much about looking forward to the calls and savouring these."