Tata Communications
Promoted: When Rossi quizzed a NASA man travelling at 17,500mph
This weekend MotoGP returns to Silverstone for the British GP. And none of the riders who were there 12 months ago will have forgotten the experience of the pre-race press conference, when they were patched into the International Space Station and NASA astronaut Drew Feustel. It was a moment rich with the spirit of innovation.
Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Cal Crutchlow, Andrew Dovizioso, Alvaro Bautista and Jorge Lorenzo were the riders in Silverstone for this unique conference.
It’s hard to say who was the more impressed; Feustel revealed himself to be a huge MotoGP fan, and one who counts Silverstone among his top tracks.
“It’s such an iconic track and has represented motorsports and racing for so long,” said Feustel, who watched every round of the MotoGP championship during his stint in space, which lasted from March to October last year. “I raced motocross when I was a kid and I’ve always been a fan of motorcycle racing. It amazes me how fast you guys go and the skill and balance you all possess.”
MotoGP riders and Drew Feustel, NASA astronaut into the International Space Station
Photo by: MotoGP
Drew Feustel, NASA astronaut into the International Space Station
Photo by: MotoGP
But Rossi was truly taken aback when he asked Feustel where exactly he was in space and the astronaut revealed that at that precise moment he was over West Africa and that he was travelling at 17,500mph!
It takes Rossi and his rivals two minutes to lap Silverstone. It takes the International Space Station just 90 minutes to circle the planet.
The two way live communication was established by MotoGP promoter Dorna using its connectivity supplier Tata Communications’ Fibre+ and satellite setup, in collaboration with NASA.
For more information about Tata Communications, please visit here.
Previous article
Zarco pinpoints cause of him trailing Oliveira
Next article
Crutchlow admits new Honda deal "has been discussed"
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Valentino Rossi |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
