March 2007 - Sarex (INACTIVE) - mailman.amsat.org

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-03-31 20:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 31 Mar '07

31 Mar '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-03-31 20:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: St Michael’s Primary School, Daceyville, NSW, Australia, direct via VK2KVE Mon 2007-04-02 23:35 UTC 34 deg Glenden State School, Glenden, Queensland, Australia, direct via VK4KHZ Wed 2007-04-04 22:39 UTC 65 deg Salt Creek Primary School, Salt Creek, Australia, telebridge via W6SRJ Thu 2007-04-12 03:10 UTC 69 deg via W6SRJ Total number of ARISS school contacts is 277. QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DP0ISS, NA1SS, RS0ISS ***************************************************************************** The schedule page has been updated as of 2007-03-31 20:00 UTC. Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2007-03-27 17:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correctio… tf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf ***************************************************************************** There has been a rumor that the ISS was having direct contacts on the 40 meter band. There is no HF radio equipment on board and available yet. The HF antenna is mounted. Sometimes WA3NAN will retransmit shuttle audio. ***************************************************************************** Expedition 14 on orbit: Michael Lopez-Alegria KE5GTK Mikhail Tyurin, RZ3FT Expedition 14/15 on orbit: Sunita Williams, KD5PLB ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-03-30 21:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 30 Mar '07

30 Mar '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-03-30 21:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: St Michael’s Primary School, Daceyville, NSW, Australia, direct via VK2KVE Mon 2007-04-02 23:35 UTC 34 deg Glenden State School, Glenden, Queensland, Australia, direct via VK4KHZ Wed 2007-04-04 22:39 UTC 65 deg Salt Creek Primary School, Salt Creek, Australia, telebridge via W6SRJ (***) Thu 2007-04-12 03:10 UTC 69 deg via W6SRJ (***) Total number of ARISS school contacts is 277. QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DP0ISS, NA1SS, RS0ISS ***************************************************************************** The schedule page has been updated as of 2007-03-30 21:30 UTC. Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2007-03-27 17:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correctio… tf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf ***************************************************************************** There has been a rumor that the ISS was having direct contacts on the 40 meter band. There is no HF radio equipment on board and available yet. The HF antenna is mounted. Sometimes WA3NAN will retransmit shuttle audio. ***************************************************************************** Expedition 14 on orbit: Michael Lopez-Alegria KE5GTK Mikhail Tyurin, RZ3FT Expedition 14/15 on orbit: Sunita Williams, KD5PLB ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

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Crew Moves Soyuz to Prep for New Arrivals
by Arthur Rowe 30 Mar '07

30 Mar '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Crew Moves Soyuz to Prep for New Arrivals* The Soyuz TMA-9 spacecraft undocks Image above: The Soyuz TMA-9 spacecraft undocks from the station's Zarya module. Image credit: NASA TV TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html The Expedition 14 crew aboard the International Space Station welcomed an off-duty day Friday after a busy week of preparations for the arrival of the next crew in April. Commander Mike Lopez-Alegria and flight engineers Mikhail Tyurin and Suni Williams boarded their Soyuz TMA-9 spacecraft and undocked it from the Earth-facing port of the station's Zarya module at 6:30 p.m. EDT Thursday. With Tyurin at the controls, the craft was maneuvered to the aft port of the Zvezda module and docked at 6:54 p.m. The move was made to clear the Zarya port for the arrival of Expedition 15 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov, along with spaceflight participant Charles Simonyi on April 9. + Read more about the Soyuz relocation <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition14/exp14_so…> On Tuesday, the unpiloted Progress 23 cargo craft was undocked from the aft port of the Zvezda service module. The cargo craft, filled with trash and unneeded items from the station, was commanded several hours after undocking to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up over the Pacific Ocean. The crew also continued science research aboard the orbital outpost this week, including a successful run with the Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) experiment. During a session with SPHERES, Williams set up a test in which three of the bowling-ball sized satellites flew together in formation within the station cabin for the first time.

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ISS STATUS REPORT #07-16
by Arthur Rowe 30 Mar '07

30 Mar '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *International Space Station Status Report #07-16* *6:30 p.m. CDT Thursday, March 29, 2007* *Expedition 14 Crew* HOUSTON - The Expedition 14 crew continued preparations for the April arrival of a new station crew by boarding their Soyuz TMA-9 craft and taking a 24-minute flight from one station docking port to another. Flight Engineer Mikhail Tyurin guided the Soyuz away from the Earth-facing port of the station's Zarya module and docked it to the aft port of the Zvezda module. The move frees the Zarya port for the arrival of the Expedition 15 crew aboard the Soyuz TMA-10, scheduled to dock to the station on April 9. Tyurin undocked the Soyuz from Zarya at 5:30 p.m. CDT and redocked to the Zvezda port at 5:54 p.m. CDT as the station and the Soyuz flew 210 miles above the east coast of South America. Minutes later, hooks and latches engaged between the Soyuz' docking probe and Zvezda's docking port to attach the craft firmly to the station. During the time from undocking to redocking, the crew traveled about a third of the way around the world. To prepare for Thursday's undocking and relocation, Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and flight engineers Tyurin and Sunita Williams shut down key station systems and configured the complex for autonomous operations in the unlikely event they would not be able to redock. Prior to undocking, Tyurin activated the Soyuz’ backup battery as a precaution when the prime spacecraft battery indicated a slightly lower voltage reading. It was quickly determined that the voltage drop was due to the activation of some Soyuz systems, and the prime battery soon returned to its normal voltage output. Late Thursday into early Friday, the crew will open the hatch to the Soyuz, re-enter the station and reactivate systems for regular activity. Friday will be an off-duty day for the crew as they readjust their sleep cycles, which were changed to accommodate the Soyuz move. Further preparation for the Soyuz relocation included the undocking and discarding of the ISS Progress 23 cargo craft from the aft Zvezda port on Tuesday, March 27, making room for the Soyuz to redock. That activity went smoothly; the ISS Progress undocked at 1:11 p.m. CDT and re-entered Earth's atmosphere at 5:44 p.m. Additional work for the crew this week included a first for the Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) experiment. The experiment uses 8-inch diameter spherical satellites that fly within the station cabin. The satellites test the basics of formation flight and autonomous docking that could be used in future spacecraft. The battery-powered satellites use carbon dioxide to fuel 12 thrusters as they fly in the cabin. During a weekend "Saturday Science" session, Williams conducted a SPHERES experiment run. This was the first time three satellites flew together in tests. Investigators for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, deemed the experiment highly successful. Back on Earth, Expedition 15 cosmonauts Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov, along with spaceflight participant Charles Simonyi, a U.S. businessman, prepared for their April 7 launch at the Baikonur Cosomodrome, Kazakhstan. For more about the crew's activities and station sighting opportunities, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station -end- ###

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ISS Status Report: SS07-15
by Arthur Rowe 30 Mar '07

30 Mar '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > March 29, 2007 > > John Yembrick > Headquarters, Washington > 202-358-0602 > > James Hartsfield > Johnson Space Center, Houston > 281-483-4934 > > STATUS REPORT: SS07-15 > > INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION STATUS REPORT: SS07-15 > > HOUSTON - The Expedition 14 crew of the International Space Station > continued preparations for the April arrival of a new station crew by > boarding their Soyuz TMA-9 craft and taking a 24-minute flight from > one station docking port to another. > > Flight Engineer Mikhail Tyurin guided the Soyuz away from the > Earth-facing port of the station's Zarya module and docked it to the > aft port of the Zvezda module. The move frees the Zarya port for the > arrival of the Expedition 15 crew aboard the Soyuz TMA-10, scheduled > to dock to the station on April 9. > > Tyurin undocked the Soyuz from Zarya at 5:30 p.m. CDT and redocked to > the Zvezda port at 5:54 p.m. CDT as the station and the Soyuz flew > 210 miles above the east coast of South America. Minutes later, hooks > and latches engaged between the Soyuz' docking probe and Zvezda's > docking port to attach the craft firmly to the station. During the > time from undocking to redocking, the crew traveled about a third of > the way around the world. > > To prepare for Thursday's undocking and relocation, Commander Michael > Lopez-Alegria and flight engineers Tyurin and Sunita Williams shut > down key station systems and configured the complex for autonomous > operations in the unlikely event they would not be able to redock. > > Prior to undocking, Tyurin activated the Soyuz' backup battery as a > precaution when the prime spacecraft battery indicated a slightly > lower voltage reading. It was quickly determined that the voltage > drop was due to the activation of some Soyuz systems, and the prime > battery soon returned to its normal voltage output. > > Late Thursday into early Friday, the crew will open the hatch to the > Soyuz, re-enter the station and reactivate systems for regular > activity. Friday will be an off-duty day for the crew as they > readjust their sleep cycles, which were changed to accommodate the > Soyuz move. > > Further preparation for the Soyuz relocation included the undocking > and discarding of the ISS Progress 23 cargo craft from the aft Zvezda > port on Tuesday, March 27, making room for the Soyuz to redock. That > activity went smoothly; the ISS Progress undocked at 1:11 p.m. CDT > and re-entered Earth's atmosphere at 5:44 p.m. > > Additional work for the crew this week included a first for the > Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites > (SPHERES) experiment. The experiment uses 8-inch diameter spherical > satellites that fly within the station cabin. The satellites test the > basics of formation flight and autonomous docking that could be used > in future spacecraft. The battery-powered satellites use carbon > dioxide to fuel 12 thrusters as they fly in the cabin. > > During a weekend "Saturday Science" session, Williams conducted a > SPHERES experiment run. This was the first time three satellites flew > together in tests. Investigators for the Massachusetts Institute of > Technology, Cambridge, deemed the experiment highly successful. > > Back on Earth, Expedition 15 cosmonauts Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin > and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov, along with spaceflight participant > Charles Simonyi, a U.S. businessman, prepared for their April 7 > launch at the Baikonur Cosomodrome, Kazakhstan. > > For more about the crew's activities and station sighting > opportunities, visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/station > > > -end- > > > > >

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NASA Astronaut to Run Boston Marathon in Space
by Arthur Rowe 29 Mar '07

29 Mar '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > March 29, 2007 > > Allard Beutel > Headquarters, Washington > 202-358-4769 > > James Hartsfield > Johnson Space Center, Houston > 281-483-5111 > > > > NASA ASTRONAUT TO RUN BOSTON MARATHON IN SPACE > > WASHINGTON - NASA astronaut Suni Williams will go faster than anyone > has ever gone in the Boston Marathon. She will run the famed race in > April as an official entrant from 210 miles above Earth aboard the > International Space Station. This will be the first time an astronaut > in space will be an official participant in a marathon. > > Williams hopes her unique run will serve as an inspiration. > > "I encourage kids to start making physical fitness part of their daily > lives," Williams said. "I think a big goal like a marathon will help > get this message out there." > > Williams, who is an accomplished marathoner, has served aboard the > space station since December 2006 as a member of the Expedition 14 > crew. She will run the race on a station treadmill, circling Earth at > least twice in the process, running as fast as eight miles per hour > but flying more than five miles each second. > > And she will not be alone in her adventure. Her sister Dina Pandya and > a fellow NASA astronaut, Karen Nyberg, will run the race in Boston. > Williams and Nyberg qualified for the Boston race by finishing among > the top 100 females in the Houston Marathon in January 2006. > > Exercise is essential in NASA's efforts to counteract the effects of > long-duration weightlessness on astronauts' health. For months, > Williams has been training for the marathon while aboard the station. > She runs at least four times a week, two longer runs and two shorter > runs. Station crews are required to exercise on the treadmill, a > stationary bike and a resistive exercise machine to counter loss of > bone density and muscle mass. > > "In microgravity, both of these things start to go away because we > don't use our legs to walk around and don't need the bones and > muscles to hold us up under the force of gravity," Williams said. > > Williams is a native of Needham, Mass., and graduated from Needham > High School in 1983. Her family resides near Falmouth, Mass. > > NASA will have an exhibit in Boston during the marathon. Nyberg and > astronaut Jeff Williams will be available for interviews. Jeff > Williams, who is not related to Suni Williams, completed a six-month > stay on the station in 2006. NASA's exhibit will be at the John > Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo at the Hynes Convention Center April > 13-15. > > Due to the crew's sleep schedule, WIlliams' run of the marathon on the > station may not coincide exactly with the race on the ground, but > mission control is working to match the events as closely as > possible. This year's marathon is Monday, April 16. > > Television and still imagery of Williams' efforts are expected to be > available. Video of her training on the International Space Station > will air on NASA TV's Video File. For streaming video, downlink and > schedule information, visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/ntv > > For more information about the Boston Marathon, visit: > > http://www.bostonmarathon.org/ > > For more about the space station, its missions and crews, visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/station > > > -end- > > > >

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ARISS event - St Michael's Primary School, Daceyville, NSW, Australia - Mon. (April 02) 23:35 UTC
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 29 Mar '07

29 Mar '07

An International Space Station Expedition 14 ARISS school contact has been planned with students at St. Michael's Primary School in Daceyville, NSW, Australia on 02 April. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 23:35 UTC. The contact will be a direct between stations NA1SS and VK2KVE. The contact should be audible in Eastern portions of Australia. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The participants are expected to conduct the conversation in English. St Michael's Primary School Daceyville is situated in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. It is a Catholic Systemic Primary School that serves the immediate community of Daceyville; with a number of students attending from outlying areas. The school has a population of 161 students ranging from Kindergarten (5 years old) to Year 6 (11 years old). The school delivers a wide curriculum across 7 key learning areas to ensure that children have access to a range of experiences and opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, understanding and values. As a school community we endeavor to instill in children a love of learning, a keen awareness of the world they live in and the important role they play as members of society. The curriculum capitalizes on the natural curiosity of children and the way they perceive the world. It is our hope that the students make the most of the educational opportunities which they are provided with. Students will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Do you suffer from travel or motion sickness when you're an astronaut? Does it cause you much discomfort? How do you cope with being sick in space? 2. Do you think that humans will eventually conquer space? And, does outer space have an end? What is at the end of space? 3. How do you wash and go to the toilet in space without making a big mess? 4. Is it fun to work in space? Will you go on a space walk outside the International Space Station? 5. Can you please explain what it feels like to be weightless. 6. What features on the earth can you see from space? 7. Have you ever seen or experienced anything you cannot explain? 8. Can you describe some of the experiments you are involved in aboard the International Space Station? 9. Do you believe there is life in outer space without any evidence? 10. How fast are you traveling and how long does it take to orbit the earth? 11. Is it true that black holes can swallow planets and suns? And, if the planet earth was swallowed by a black hole, would we die or still be alive? 12. Can you see other planets and stars from the International Space Station? And, why is our galaxy called the Milky Way? 13. Can you describe what it feels like to be blasting off on the space shuttle? Is it noisy? Is there much vibration? Is it like a fun-park ride? 14. Which scientists do you most admire? That is, which scientists would be your greatest inspiration and why? 15. Have black holes been observed from earth? What is the difference between a black hole and a worm hole? 16. In an ordinary earth day how many sunrises and sunsets will you see? And, how long do they last? 17. What has been the biggest set back in space travel? And, do you think much about the dangers of being an astronaut? 18. How long will you be in space for on this trip? And, will you miss the changing seasons? What sort of climate is on the International Space Station? 19. How do you sleep on the International Space Station? And, is it difficult to fall asleep? 20. Do you ever orbit close to satellites? Have you seen one close up? Or have you seen comets or meteors close up? 21. Approximately how many women are in the astronaut corps? How many have traveled to space? Is the training harder for women? 22. What does it feel like when you enter the earth's atmosphere and become weightless? What are the effects of weightlessness on your body after a long period? Please note, the amateur equipment on the ISS is not functioning in the automatic modes properly and may be silent more than usual. Information about the next scheduled ARISS contact can be found at http://www.rac.ca/ariss/upcoming.htm#NextContact . Next planned event(s): Glenden State School, Glenden, Queensland, Australia, direct via VK4KHZ Wed 2007-04-04 22:39 UTC ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participating countries. ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers on-board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning. Further information on the ARISS program is available on the website http://www.rac.ca/ariss (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada). Thank you & 73, Kenneth - N5VHO

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-03-29 17:30 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 29 Mar '07

29 Mar '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-03-29 17:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: St Michael’s Primary School, Daceyville, NSW, Australia, direct via VK2KVE Mon 2007-04-02 23:35 UTC 34 deg Glenden State School, Glenden, Queensland, Australia, direct via VK4KHZ Wed 2007-04-04 22:39 UTC 65 deg Total number of ARISS school contacts is 277. QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DP0ISS, NA1SS, RS0ISS ***************************************************************************** The schedule page has been updated as of 2007-03-29 17:30 UTC. Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2007-03-27 17:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correctio… tf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf ***************************************************************************** There has been a rumor that the ISS was having direct contacts on the 40 meter band. There is no HF radio equipment on board and available yet. The HF antenna is mounted. Sometimes WA3NAN will retransmit shuttle audio. ***************************************************************************** Expedition 14 on orbit: Michael Lopez-Alegria KE5GTK Mikhail Tyurin, RZ3FT Expedition 14/15 on orbit: Sunita Williams, KD5PLB ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-03-27 17:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 29 Mar '07

29 Mar '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-03-27 17:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: International School of Brussels, B-1170 Brussels, Belgium, telebridge via NN1SS Successful Tue 2007-03-27 13:45 UTC 31 deg via NN1SS (***) St Michael’s Primary School, Daceyville, NSW, Australia, direct via VK2KVE Mon 2007-04-02 23:35 UTC 34 deg Glenden State School, Glenden, Queensland, Australia, direct via VK4KHZ Wed 2007-04-04 22:39 UTC 65 deg Total number of ARISS school contacts is 277. (***) QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DP0ISS, NA1SS, RS0ISS ***************************************************************************** The schedule page has been updated as of 2007-03-27 17:00 UTC. Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2007-03-27 17:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correctio… tf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf ***************************************************************************** There has been a rumor that the ISS was having direct contacts on the 40 meter band. There is no HF radio equipment on board and available yet. The HF antenna is mounted. Sometimes WA3NAN will retransmit shuttle audio. ***************************************************************************** Expedition 14 on orbit: Michael Lopez-Alegria KE5GTK Mikhail Tyurin, RZ3FT Expedition 14/15 on orbit: Sunita Williams, KD5PLB ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors ************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

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Columbus AT KENNEDY SPACE CTR.
by Arthur Rowe 29 Mar '07

29 Mar '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC -AMSAT A/C#31468 > COLUMBUS AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER > http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/Columbus_module.html > ** > **TO VIEW IMAGES > > > It may sound like a rewrite of history, but Columbus is leaving > Germany and heading to the shores of Florida. This Columbus isn't > looking for new lands to explore; it has a final destination in space. > As a component of the International Space Station, the Columbus > Laboratory's final earthly stop is the Space Station Processing > Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. > > As the European Space Agency's largest single contribution to the > space station, the research laboratory module -- with four payload > facility racks -- was completed in early May and delivered to the > agency in a ceremony in Bremen, Germany. It must be processed in > Florida before being ferried to the station within the space shuttle's > cargo bay. > + Learn about processing space station components > <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/stationpayloads/issprocessing.html> > > **Image at Left: The physical design of the Columbus Laboratory module > allows it to fit snugly into the cargo bay of the space shuttle for > transport to the space station. Image credit: ESA-D. Ducros > > The physical design and layout of the Columbus laboratory is not > unlike the three multi-purpose logistics modules (MPLM) built by the > Italian Space Agency and used for transporting scientific experiments, > materials and supplies to the station via the space shuttles. > + Learn about the MPLM > <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/mplm.html> > > But unlike the visiting logistic modules that return to Earth with the > shuttles, Columbus will permanently expand the research facilities of > the space station. The laboratory will be connected to the rest of the > orbiting outpost by NASA's Node 2 module. > + View Space Station Configuration Chart > <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/143942main_ISS_config.jpg> > > **Image at Right: Once installed permanently on the station, crew > members can work on experiments in the laboratory's "racks." The Node > 2 module will connect Columbus to the U.S. Destiny laboratory and the > Japanese Kibo laboratory. Image credit: ESA-D. Ducros > > Columbus is about 23 feet long and 15 feet wide, allowing it to hold > 10 "racks" of experiments, each approximately the size of a phone > booth. Five NASA racks will be added to the laboratory once it is in > orbit. Each rack provides independent controls for power and cooling, > as well as communication links to earthbound controllers and > researchers. These links will allow scientists all over Europe to > participate in their own experiments in space from several user > centers and, in some cases, even from their own work locations. > > Biolab experiment payload.The Columbus laboratory's flexibility > provides room for the researchers on the ground, aided by the > station's crew, to conduct thousands of experiments in life sciences, > materials sciences, fluid physics and other research in a weightless > environment not possible on Earth. > > **Image at Left: This illustration shows Biolab, just one of the > experiment payload racks designed to fit into Columbus. Biolab will > support experiments on micro-organisms, cells and tissue cultures, and > even small plants and insects. Image credit: ESA-D. Ducros > > In addition, the station crew can conduct experiments outside the > module within the vacuum of space, thanks to four exterior mounting > platforms that can accommodate external payloads. With a clear view of > Earth and the vastness of space, external experiments can run the > gamut from the microscopic world of bacteria to the limitlessness of > space. The first two experiment packages will fly to the station on > the shuttle with the module. > > The control center for the work that will be conducted in the Columbus > laboratory is located in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. From there, ground > controllers can communicate with the module as the space station > orbits the Earth, as well as with researchers across Europe and their > partners in the United States and Russia. > > The Columbus Control Center in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany.Image at > Right: On Earth, the nerve center for the laboratory is the Columbus > Control Center in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. It serves as the > operations center for all the European science to be performed on the > International Space Station. Image credit: ESA/DLR > > Once the module is in orbit as part of the International Space > Station, the Columbus laboratory is expected to provide at least 10 > years of science capabilities for researchers, whether they're working > at their desks on Earth or floating weightlessly in space. > > For more information: > + View Space Station Assembly Schedule > <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/iss_manifest.html> > + View ESA Site <http://www.esa.int/esaHS/ESAFRG0VMOC_iss_0.html> > + Learn About Space Station Processing > <http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/stationpayloads/issprocessing.html> > > *Cheryl L. Mansfield > NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center* > >

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