Africa Connects with ISS: Inspiring Next-Gen STEM Leaders

Researchers with the Pan-African Citizen Science e-Laboratory (PACS e-Lab) successfully orchestrated the first Africa-wide amateur radio contact with the International Space Station (ISS). On April 18, 2025, the event connected 300 students, educators, and STEM enthusiasts from 38 African nations, and others globally, with NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers during ISS Expedition 72.

The program leverages the ARISS initiative to promote STEM education and outreach, overcoming logistical hurdles to foster inclusive participation. This initiative aims to inspire a new generation of African scientists and establish a model for pan-African collaboration in space science education.

PACS e-Lab’s partnership with ARISS builds capacity through international cooperation and promotes a vision of space exploration as interconnected with daily life. The researchers suggest this experiment demonstrates a scalable approach to citizen science and STEM motivation. Future efforts will likely focus on expanding this model to reach even more communities and further solidify Africa’s role in the growing “New Space” landscape.