Hi All,.
Just so you don't miss the excitement - it is actually about to take place - the EVA-2 will commence today Saturday at 1338UTC!
Already we have seen shots of the "earth facing - underside" of the Columbus module where the two L/S ARISS band antennas that were installed before launch are quite clearly visible.
best 73
Graham G3VZV
----- Original Message ----- From: "Louis McFadin" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 1:42 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] New Ham antenna to be installed on the ISS Columbusmodule tomorrow
There hasn't been much said on the various news outlets about the second ISS EVA tomorrow morning at 07:30 AM EST 12:30 UTC. During that EVA the first task is to install two antennas on the Columbus Module. One is for an experiment for the European Space Agency and the other is a dual band 2m/70CM antenna for ARISS (Amateur Radio on ISS) very similar to the antennas already on the Russian service module. If you have any way to watch, I am sure it will be exciting for any ham to watch. This is an example of what can be achieved by volunteer hams working closely with a space agency. This antenna project was funded entirely by AMSAT-NA and volunteers who built the antennas for both the experiment and for ARISS. That's not to take away from the tremendous contribution from ESA for the experiment, the launch and the EVA. I have no idea what that cost but you can be assured it was a lot more than the cost of the antennas.
Once the antennas are in place we will be working to bring amateur radio to the Columbus module.
I am very proud of all the teamwork and effort that has gone into this project.
Lou McFadin W5DID ARISS US Hardware manager
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