Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide answers questions from Palm Beach County students

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.   Eleven students ranging from third grade to twelfth waited patiently Tuesday for what will likely be a once in a lifetime chance:  talking one-on-one with an astronaut as he orbits around the earth inside the International Space Station.

"It is like, it's like, I can't even describe it, its really awesome," said third grader Connor Cane.

Cane was one of hundreds of students across Palm Beach County who wrote an essay about space, for the chance to ask an astronaut one question.   

"How is waste disposal currently handled in space?" asked one student.

"In space, human bodies produce so much stress, how did you prepare physically and mentally?" asked another.

"What was the most interesting experiment you've done in space?" another student asked.

The students did their homework, asking questions geared towards their own interests.
    
"I'm interested in pursuing a career in medicine so it was something that interested me," said Mary Dixon, a senior at Wellington High School.

"I really like science and technology and I've always wanted to know what it's like to be in space," said Cane.

Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide spent time answering every single question.