Japanese astronaut in out-of-this-world Google+ hangout

It was indeed an out-of-this-world Google+ Hangout: A Japanese astronaut scored a first by holding a Google+ Hangout, or video chat, from the International Space Station.

 

For 20 minutes, Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide interacted mostly with children back on Earth in the first public Hangout in space, SocialNewsDaily.com reported.  

 

"Akihiko answered questions from those in the Google+ Hangout On Air and interacted with kids who seemed very excited. Overall, the video chat lasted just under 20 minutes. There was a slight delay to the Space Station, but when you’re doing a live video chat from space, you don’t get hassled," SocialNewsDaily.com said (http://socialnewsdaily.com/3921/google-plus-hangouts-from-space-station/).

 

The chat was made possible through the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Google.

 

Others who took part in the Hangout included Tokyo residents, an astronaut moderator, and a Japanese sci-fi comic book author who connected via Google+ and YouTube, GadgetsMagazine.com.ph reported.

 

"The hangout participants were able to ask Hoshide some questions, watch him float inside the spacecraft, and even have a toast with him," it said.

 

SocialNewsDaily.com noted that while astronauts have been using the technology while stationed, it was mainly for private chats, not public.

 

For now, there is no official word on when the next Hangout On Air from space will take place.

 

You can watch the chat below by skipping to the one hour, 15 minute mark.

 

Akihiko Hoshide is a Japanese engineer and a JAXA astronaut who became the third Japanese astronaut to walk in space last August 30. — TJD, GMA News