A crowd of youngsters from 26 countries spoke with an astronaut in space from a summer camp in Chingford.

Live from the International Space Station astronaut Paolo Nespoli spoke to the gathering of 80 young people through amateur radio at Radio Society of Great Britain’s (RSGB) event in Gilwell Park, on Tuesday (August 8).

The radio enthusiasts spent the week at the scouting activity centre for the seventh prestigious Youngsters on the Air summer camp.

From ground control on Earth, Cameron Eales asked Paolo: “How important do you consider amateur radio to your set of technical skills?”

The astronaut replied: “I was really into when I was young as my tutor had a radio and it helped me to refine my technical skills. So ham radio helped me in building my future.”

The collection of people came from Croatia, Tunisia, South Africa and Japan, forging international friendships right here in Chingford.

They had fun doing challenging amateur radio activities, visiting Bletchley Park, the National Radio Centre, London Science Museum and Ofcom’s Spectrum Management Centre in Baldock.

Heather Parsons, communications manager for RSGB said: “It was a fantastic evening. We’re grateful to the ISS Flight Director and astronaut Paolo Nespoli for making it possible to have a second contact which allowed us not only to have audio but also to see him on Ham TV.

“Twelve young radio amateurs from around the world were able to ask him a question and his answers came over loud and clear. It was a very special event and one that everyone will remember.”