Students from private and public schools sent their voices into space this morning as they questioned astronauts on the space shuttle Discovery.

Some 20 students gathered at Punahou School for a live satellite downlink from the cockpit of the shuttle, through NASA and down to Case Middle School on the Punahou campus.

The students wanted to know such things as how astronauts exercise in space, what was the most satisfying accomplishment there and would you go to Mars, if you could.

"The astronauts seemed so enthusiastic about their accomplishment," said Reyn Fernandez, a Punahou senior. "I was pretty inspired by all their enthusiasm."

Patricia Paulino, a Lincoln Elementary School fifth grader, wanted to know which generation would live on the moon or Mars permanently.

"I think the reason this crew is here and the current crew is up on the space station is we're hoping it's your generation," said astronaut Rich Arnold, a former teacher.

Discovery's crew member Josephis also a former teacher.

The astronauts seemed as excited as the students about the direct communication, and shuttle commander Lee Archambault passed on a greeting of aloha from President Barack Obama, whom the astronauts had spoken to earlier in their trip.

Discovery is due back on Earth tomorrow after its mission to deliver and install power-generating solar wings at the international space station.