Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg is set to take connectivity to new heights by literally bringing one of his social network's new features out of this world.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration revealed on May 27 that Zuckerberg will host a live Earth-to-space call with three astronauts who are currently in orbit on board the International Space Station (ISS).
The space station is currently the largest artificial body in low Earth orbit that can often be seen with the naked eye from Earth. The ISS serves as a research laboratory, where astronauts can conduct experiments in microgravity.
The 20-minute call between Zuckerberg and British astronaut Tim Peake, from the European Space Agency (ESA), and NASA astronauts Tim Kopra and Jeff Williams, who currently live and work aboard the space station, will take place using Facebook Live video.
Facebook Live allows users to do live video broadcasts in groups and events and the upcoming call between Zuckerberg and the astronauts can be watched by viewers via NASA's official Facebook page on Wednesday, June 1.
"Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and chief executive officer, will speak with three astronauts currently living and working aboard the International Space Station at 12:55 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 1," NASA announced.
NASA also encouraged space science enthusiasts to post questions that the Facebook CEO in turn will ask the astronauts during the event.
Several questions have so far been posted by Facebook users from different parts of the globe.
"Looking into the space station's long term future. If it for whatever reason became discontinued, what would happen to it? Would it be left to burn up in the atmosphere? Where would it go," asked Simon Pilmer, from Great Chesterford, United Kingdom.
"How do astronauts make artificial gravity on space stations," asked Shreyansh Goyal, from New Delhi, India.
Astronauts aboard the station conduct experiments on astronomy, biology, meteorology and other fields. The ISS also serves as a venue to test spacecraft systems and equipment needed for planned manned mission on Mars.
Astronauts at the space station have earlier successfully installed an inflatable compartment that scientists hope could hold the key to a successful mission to the Red Planet.
