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Upcoming ARISS contact with Dilworth Elementary School, San Jose, CA
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 03 Mar '12

03 Mar '12

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Dilworth Elementary School, San Jose, CA on 05 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:33 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and AA6W. The contact should be audible over the west coast of the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Dilworth School serves students in Kindergarten through 5th grade and is located in a suburban setting in west San Jose. Dilworth School staff is committed to a child-centered, sound instructional program that emphasizes basic skill building, the process of learning, character education and a variety of opportunities for enrichment. We consider each student a unique individual whose educational and social growth is guided toward the goal of becoming a productive, responsible informed citizen in our society. Since the inception of the statewide STAR test and API rankings, Dilworth has been recognized as a high performing school, and we continue to meet our growth targets. In concert with academic focus, student's overall social and emotional needs are supported through classroom, school activities, and support services. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Is traveling on a shuttle in space different than traveling in an airplane on Earth? 2. Is it difficult to write in space? If so, why? 3. When you leave the Earth's atmosphere, what happens to you physically? 4. How many years of training do you have to go through before you can actually go to space? 5. Can you tell when it's day or night while in space? 6. Does your body feel different in space? 7. What is the most challenging thing to do in space? 8. When you enter space, how do you feel emotionally? 9. In the event of an emergency, how do you all evacuate? 10. How many missions does the average astronauts go on? 11. How do you know if you have enough oxygen if you are constantly using it? 12. Does anything happen to spaceships when entering an atmosphere? If so, why does it happen? 13. Can there be a fire on the space station and if so, how would you put it out? 14. What do astronauts do for entertainment in space? 15. How do you eat in space? 16. Why do astronauts wear white spacesuits? 17. Are there health concerns if you are in space for too long? 18. While in space, what food do you miss the most? 19. What experiments are you currently conducting? 20. How do you shower in space? Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be found at http://www.ariss.org/upcoming.htm#NextContact. Next planned event(s): 1. ESA-ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands, telebridge via ON4ISS Tue 6 Mar 2012, 13:11 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.ariss.org/ (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada). Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2012-03-03 05:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2012-03-03 05:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Parkside Elementary, Atlanta, GA, telebridge via K6DUE Contact was successful: Fri 2012-03-02 16:42:29 UTC 84 deg (***) 5th Geniko Lykeio Katerinis, Katerini, Greece, direct via SX2ISS Contact was successful: Fri 2012-03-02 17:03:52 UTC 46 deg (***) Dilworth Elementary School, San Jose, CA, direct via AA6W Contact is a go for: Mon 2012-03-05 18:33:06 UTC 59 deg ESA-ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands, telebridge via ON4ISS Contact is a go for: Tue 2012-03-06 13:11:11 UTC 71 deg Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8061 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 707. (***)

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2012-03-01 01:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 29 Feb '12

29 Feb '12

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2012-03-01 01:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Parkside Elementary, Atlanta, GA, telebridge via K6DUE The contact is a go is for: Fri 2012-03-02 16:42:29 UTC 84 deg Watch for live simulcast at www.livestream.com/parksideariss (***) 5th Geniko Lykeio Katerinis, Katerini, Greece, direct via SX2ISS Contact is a go for: Fri 2012-03-02 17:03:52 UTC 46 deg Watch for live simulcast at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/lyceum5thkaterini-ariis-project and http://vod.sch.gr/video/iptv/646 (***) Dilworth Elementary School, San Jose, CA, direct via AA6W Contact is a go for: Mon 2012-03-05 18:33:06 UTC 59 deg ESA-ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands, telebridge via ON4ISS Contact is a go for: Tue 2012-03-06 13:11:11 UTC 71 deg Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8061 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 705. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 688. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 44. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. Check out a new ARISS website: https://creator.zoho.com/school.selection.manager/successful-ariss-school-co ntacts/#Page:Home ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ US Hams, don’t forget that there is a new process for US school proposals. For US schools to have an ARISS contact, they must fill out a proposal, submit it to NASA, and see if they are approved or not. Once a school is approved and put on the list, an ARISS mentor will be assigned to assist the school. NASA will have two open windows a year for schools to submit a proposal. The first window for contacts during the first half of 2012 has already closed. Look for the second window for second half 2012 contacts later this year. You must go through NASA to get the proposal material. Contact Teaching From Space, a NASA Education office, at JSC-TFS-ARISS(a)mail.nasa.gov or by calling them at (281) 244-2320. The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ IN LIGHT OF SOME COMMENTS THAT HAVE APPEARED RECENTLY ON THE VARIOUS BULLETIN BOARDS; THE COMMENTS BELOW STILL HOLD TRUE: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DPØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** ** The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2012-03-01 01:00 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.rtf (note change of file type) The successful school list has been updated as of 2012-02-27 20:00 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_correction .rtf 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 have been rumors in the past indicating 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. **************************************************************************** Exp. 29/30 on orbit Anatoly Ivanishin Anton Shkaplerov Daniel C. Burbank KC5ZSX Exp. 30/31 on orbit Oleg Kononenko RN3DX Donald R. Pettit KD5MDT André Kuipers PI9ISS **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Upcoming ARISS contact with 5th Geniko Lykeio Katerinis, Katerini, Greece
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 29 Feb '12

29 Feb '12

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at 5th Geniko Lykeio Katerinis, Katerini, Greece on 02 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 17:03 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between OR4ISS and SX2ISS. The contact should be audible over Greece and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. 5th Geniko Lykeio Katerinis is an upper high school with approximately 440 students, aged 14 to 19. It is a new school (established in 2007). There are two schools together in two buildings connected in format of letter "U". The other school is the 2nd Lyceum of Katerini with another 450 students. Although the school is new, it has many things to show to its students, the parents and the local community. The school has won prizes and honours in various fields (cultural, athletic, scientific) and its graduates have been accepted in major universities in Greece. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. While on space, do you realize the time passing by faster or slower than on earth? 2. Were you inspired by astronauts or ex-astronauts to become an astronaut as well? 3. For how long are you trained before going to space? 4. Have there been any experiment regarding the reproduction of humans or other species in space ? 5. Does your team fully change each semester? 6. Which earth observation made the greatest impression to you? 7. What are you dealing with currently? 8. Are you working on the structure of matter and if yes, what does your research include, in a few words? 9. Do the conditions of space favour the conduct of some experiment's that cannot be performed in the conditions of the earth? 10. To become an astronaut, did your family encourage you on this decision? 11. How do you feel when you meet your family on earth? 12. Do you communicate with your family and how often? 13. Do you study about weather conditions. Can you predict storms? For example? 14. How are your living conditions beyond earth? 15. Does the global financial crisis affect the astronauts? 16. Which was your latest discovery? 17. Is it hard to live in space? 18. How is your everyday life? 19. Does the food you eat contain any kind of vitamins? 20. Did you find any difficulties on choosing this job? Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be found at http://www.ariss.org/upcoming.htm#NextContact. Next planned event(s): 1. Dilworth Elementary School, San Jose, CA, direct via AA6W Mon, 5 Mar 2012 18:33 UTC 2. ESA-ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands, telebridge via ON4ISS Tue, 6 Mar 2012, 13:11 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.ariss.org/ (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada). Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Parkside Elementary, Atlanta, GA
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 29 Feb '12

29 Feb '12

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Parkside Elementary, Atlanta, GA on 02 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 16:42 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and K6DUE. The contact should be audible over the east coast of the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Parkside Elementary School is located in urban Atlanta. The facility is recognized as a Title I public school with over 550 students enrolled in pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. The student population is comprised of 77% Black, 13% White, 6% Hispanic and 4% Asian students. The school uses a wide range of technology equipment to help students learn and grow as individuals, including Mac computers, video iPods and interactive white boards among many other types of technology. The school also has numerous clubs which students can join including a chess club, robotics club, public speaking club and rocketry club among many others. At Parkside Elementary School, our objective is to ensure that each student is offered a quality education in a safe, caring and orderly environment. Educational experiences at Parkside provide global perspectives and appreciation for cultural diversity. We encourage high academic performance and involve our students in a rigorous and challenging curriculum. Parkside has launched a STEM initiative to inspire students to seek future careers in the areas of Math and Science and also experience some of the research challenges facing today's scientists and engineers. The ARISS contact supplements our district and the next phase of our school's STEM initiative; to develop an amateur radio club in addition to dedicating an instructional week to NASA related activities for our school community to partake. Our students are excited about the upcoming ISS contact event that will provide our special education students of ages 8-12; both males and females, a once in a lifetime opportunity to make contact with crew members aboard the International Space Station. Participants will ask as many of the following questions (translated) as time allows: 1. I love learning about space! Did you have an interest in space when you were young? 2. How has your educational background and training prepared you to be aboard the ISS? 3. What prior preparations are needed before an astronaut is cleared to travel in space? 4. How did you feel the first time you launched into outer: space? 5. My ears pop sometimes when I am on a plane. Did your ears pop when you left Earth? 6. How long did it take for you to reach the ISS after launch? 7. I have eaten MRE food before and love it! Do you get tired of eating space food? 8. Does your appetite change while you are in space? 9. Do your sleep patterns change while you are in space? 10. What would happen if you ran out of supplies on the ISS? 11. What experiments are you currently conducting aboard the Space Station? 12. What risks do you encounter on a daily basis on the ISS? 13. Since there are six crew members aboard the ISS, how do you decide what type of music everyone will listen to? 14. How many days have you been in space? 15. How often do astronauts perform space walks? 16. What is the most exciting thing you have seen in space? 17. What type of team work goes into living aboard the International Space Station? 18. How often are you able to communicate with your family and friends during your stay on the ISS? 19. What new technologies have recently been developed due to the ISS missions? 20. How is space debris being prevented? 21. Has the International Space Station been through a meteorite shower or has it ever been hit by space debris? 22. What do you miss the most about Earth while you are on the ISS? 23. What type of vehicle do you use to return to Earth after your mission is complete? Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be found at http://www.ariss.org/upcoming.htm#NextContact. Next planned event(s): 1. 5th Geniko Lykeio Katerinis, Katerini, Greece, direct via SX2ISS Fri 2 Mar 2012, 17:03 UTC 2. Dilworth Elementary School, San Jose, CA, direct via AA6W Mon, 5 Mar 2012, 18:33 UTC 3. ESA-ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands, telebridge via ON4ISS Tue, 6 Mar 2012, 13:11 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.ariss.org/ (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada). Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2012-02-27 20:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 27 Feb '12

27 Feb '12

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2012-02-27 20:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Ufa State Aviation Technical University, Ufimskiy, Russia direct via RZ9WWB Contact was successful: 2012-02-25 14:46 UTC (***) Astronomical group of the Palace of Children and Youth, Tver, Russia, direct via UA3IKC Contact was successful: 2012-02-26 15:23 UTC (***) ESA-ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands, telebridge via IK1SLD The schools that are involved are: American school of the Hague, International School of Amsterdam, and The British School in the Netherlands Contact was successful: Mon 2012-02-27 12:45:29 UTC 35 deg (***) Parkside Elementary, Atlanta, GA, telebridge via K6DUE The contact is a go is for: Fri 2012-03-02 16:42:29 UTC 84 deg 5th Geniko Lykeio Katerinis, Katerini, Greece, direct via SX2ISS Contact is a go for: Fri 2012-03-02 17:03:52 UTC 46 deg Dilworth Elementary School, San Jose, CA, direct via AA6W (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2012-03-05 18:33:06 UTC 59 deg (***) ESA-ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands, telebridge via ON4ISS (***) Contact is a go for: Tue 2012-03-06 13:11:11 UTC 71 deg (***) Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8061 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 705. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 688. (***) Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 44. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. Check out a new ARISS website: https://creator.zoho.com/school.selection.manager/successful-ariss-school-co ntacts/#Page:Home ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ US Hams, don’t forget that there is a new process for US school proposals. For US schools to have an ARISS contact, they must fill out a proposal, submit it to NASA, and see if they are approved or not. Once a school is approved and put on the list, an ARISS mentor will be assigned to assist the school. NASA will have two open windows a year for schools to submit a proposal. The first window for contacts during the first half of 2012 has already closed. Look for the second window for second half 2012 contacts later this year. You must go through NASA to get the proposal material. Contact Teaching From Space, a NASA Education office, at JSC-TFS-ARISS(a)mail.nasa.gov or by calling them at (281) 244-2320. The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ IN LIGHT OF SOME COMMENTS THAT HAVE APPEARED RECENTLY ON THE VARIOUS BULLETIN BOARDS; THE COMMENTS BELOW STILL HOLD TRUE: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/arissfaq.html http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's ISS callsigns: DPØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** ** The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2012-02-27 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.rtf (note change of file type) The successful school list has been updated as of 2012-02-27 20:00 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_correction .rtf 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 have been rumors in the past indicating 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. **************************************************************************** Exp. 29/30 on orbit Anatoly Ivanishin Anton Shkaplerov Daniel C. Burbank KC5ZSX Exp. 30/31 on orbit Oleg Kononenko RN3DX Donald R. Pettit KD5MDT André Kuipers PI9ISS **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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ISS Ops
by Dee 27 Feb '12

27 Feb '12

I was reading the bulletin about the ISS making contacts this past weekend. Has there been a change in the operating uplink for the regions?? The bulletin states that you must uplink on 145.200mhz. I know that the past contacts uplinks were region dependent. Anyone know the actual uplinks they are or will be listening to?? 73, Dee, NB2F Dee Interdonato 118 Westervelt Place Lodi, NJ 07644 973-772-8229

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Re: ISS Ops
by AJ9N＠aol.com 27 Feb '12

27 Feb '12

There were 2 Russian school contacts scheduled for this past weekend. We have not received official word that they were successful. 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS mentors In a message dated 2/27/2012 10:45:13 A.M. Central Standard Time, morsesat(a)optonline.net writes: I was reading the bulletin about the ISS making contacts this past weekend. Has there been a change in the operating uplink for the regions?? The bulletin states that you must uplink on 145.200mhz. I know that the past contacts uplinks were region dependent. Anyone know the actual uplinks they are or will be listening to?? 73, Dee, NB2F Dee Interdonato 118 Westervelt Place Lodi, NJ 07644 973-772-8229 ---- Sent via sarex(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/sarex

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Looking for a copy of the 2011 San Jose Proceedings
by Alan P. Biddle 27 Feb '12

27 Feb '12

Hi, I am looking for a hard copy, gently used, of the Proceedings. If you have one gathering dust which you would be willing to part with, drop me a note off list. 73s, Alan WA4SCA

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2012-02-27 ARISS Status
by Carol Jackson 27 Feb '12

27 Feb '12

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report February 27, 2012 1. Upcoming School Contacts An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled for Parkside Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, March 2 at 16:42 UTC via station K6DUE in Greenbelt, Maryland. The ARISS contact is part of a comprehensive education plan which will pique students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). An article about this contact appears on the NASA Talk Web site where ideas are shared about the contact and lesson plans. Contact audio may be available on NASA-TV. http://nasatalk.com/component/resource/article/bylines/164-nasa-and-stem-re… The 5th Geniko Lykeio Katerinis in Katerini, Greece has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Friday, March 2 at 17:03 UTC. This activity has been integrated into the school curriculum covering astronomy and ham radio issues. Special attention has been given to the ISS regarding its role in humanity and science, its orbit and the every day life of the astronaut. ISS courses were based on ESA's education tool, "ISS Education Kit." 2. ARISS Contact Featured at John Glenn Event On Monday, February 20, an ARISS contact was held during the John Glenn Event at the State Records Office of Western Australia in Perth, via telebridge station AH6NM in Hawaii. The contact was held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of John Glenn's orbit of the Earth, when the population of Perth turned on its lights and Glenn observed the city was visible from space, leading to Perth's nickname, "City of Lights." The event opened with a pre-recorded video address given by Senator Glenn. Speeches from Australia's leading scientists were also given, followed by the ARISS contact with Dan Burbank, KC5ZSX on the ISS. The event was streamed live on the internet and was covered by television stations and ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Radio. 3. Italian Students Experience ARISS Contact An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held between 1° Circolo Didattico Nicola Fornelli located in Bitonto, Italy and on-orbit astronaut Don Pettit, KD5MDT on Friday, February 24. The students had all their questions addressed concerning what it takes to become an astronaut and what it is like to live on the ISS. The contact highlighted their studies covering life in space, communications, space conquests and research, artificial satellites and the ISS. Approximately 300 people turned out for the event, including Italian Air Force officers and media representatives. 4. ARISS International Team Teleconference Held The monthly ARISS International Team teleconference was held on Tuesday, February 21. Topics of discussion included a World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 (WRC-12) abstract concerning nano- and picosatellites, the status of Ham TV and an update on the replacement VHF Ericsson. Minutes have been posted: http://ariss.rac.ca/arisstel2012-02-21.htm 5. Astronaut Training Status Astronaut Alexander Gerst, who passed his amateur radio license exam on February 13, has been given the callsign KF5ONO. He is scheduled to fly with Expedition 40 in May 2014. An introductory session is planned for Gregory Wiseman, KF5LKT (Expedition 40, May 2014) on Monday, February 27 and a preflight session is scheduled for Expedition 32 astronauts Sunita Williams, KD5PLB and Akihiko Hoshide, KE5DNI on Monday, March 5. Williams and Hoshide will fly later this year.

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