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Guwahati, Sept. 7: What is so special about Nasa astronaut Edward Michael Fincke who will be going to space for the third time?

Students from various schools and colleges from different parts of Assam who had assembled here wanted to know the essential attributes of becoming an astronaut.

The simple answer was: “Do good in whatever you are doing.”

Fincke, who is on a weeklong visit to Assam, was taking part in an interactive meet with students, organised by Friends of Assam and Seven Sisters (FASS) today at the Pragjyoti ITA centre here.

Fincke asked the students to work hard and listen to their parents. His wife Renita, who hails from Assam, and children Chandra, Tarali and Surya accompanied him at the meet.

The astronaut regaled the full house audience, with words in Assamese, and thanked those present with folded hands whenever the opportunity arose.

Students from Railway High School Guwahati wanted to know how they could see the International Space Station (ISS) from Earth. On his second trip, Fincke was aboard the ISS as mission commander for nearly six months.

The astronaut said the ISS had been made by human beings and was visible on a clear night. “There will be a bright star,” he said.

“My first love has always been my family and I always look forward to seeing them when I come back from space,” Fincke said.

There was a word of advice for the parents who would like their children to pursue astronomy. “Let the children gaze at the sky and they will start falling in love with it,” he said.

Fincke had performed a Bihu number during one of his space expeditions. “This should not be the last Bihu in space. There should be somebody from you to dance Bihu in space,” he said.

The astronaut was full of praise for the students who asked good questions and a couple of queries on science had even forced him to think.

“It is not easy living in space as it is full of risks. A lot of precautions have to be taken. Besides, several medical tests have to be undertaken, before going to and after coming back from space, ” he said.

He also admired the Indian scientists at Nasa.

“I expect my children to do good,” he said.

On going to the stars, Fincke said it was difficult now, as there was no technology. “One hopes that it will be available one day,” he added.