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Repair of Equipment aboard ISS - Status 447.475 WA1KAT/R
by Roger Kolakowski 27 May '07

27 May '07

With the recent partial repair of the amateur radio gear aboard ISS, the 447.475 mHz WA1KAT/R EMA Repeater will resume activity crossbanding both the new ISS Packet frequency of 145.825 and the Voice downlink of 145.800 mHz. The purpose of this repeater is to offer the opportunity for earthbound ISS Voice operations to be accomplished with a single band UHF transceiver (10 mHz split) with no diplexer required of the operator. It also will allow the Packet operator full duplex operations providing the tools to reduce packet clashes over an 800 mile radius. Due to the imminent pressures of PAVE-PAWS, the repeater will be operating at a power level of 20w from behind a ridgeline approximately 7 miles northwest of the original Salem Hospital location. The current location 42.640415N/-70.947058W affords southerly protection from Otis AFB, a factor which is lacking at the original Salem Hospital site. The repeater is utilized by a dedicated group of Merrimack Valley amateurs who strongly support ISS activity. It is also available to the members of MAREX-NA, the organization putting SSTV gear aboard the ISS in the near future. Although I have contacted NESMC previously, I still note that the WA1KAT/R repeater on 447.475 mHz is not listed on your website. The repeater has been active at the Topsfield location, repeating 145.800 ISS traffic, predating my last emails to you. If you have any questions, please contact me... Roger Kolakowski WA1KAT Trustee WA1KAT/R 447.475 mHz Essex County repeater.

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Re: STS-117 Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test
by Arthur Rowe 27 May '07

27 May '07

> SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > > STS-117 Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test > > > STS-117 crew members gather at the Shuttle Landing Facility.*Ready for > Practice.* > The STS-117 crew members gather at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle > Landing Facility after arriving in T-38 jets. Led by Commander Rick > Sturckow, the crew is at Kennedy to take part in the terminal > countdown demonstration test, a preparation for their launch to the > International Space Station. From left are Pilot Lee Archambault, > Mission Specialists Danny Olivas and Steven Swanson, Sturckow, and > Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett > TO VIEW IMAGES GO TO: > http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/117tcdt_photos.html > > > + View High-res Image > <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170146main_07pd0462.jpg> > > *Getaway Drivers.* > At Launch Complex 39, members of the STS-117 crew are instructed in > the operation of an M-113 armored personnel carrier by the astronaut > rescue team. The M-113 could be used to move the crew away from the > launch pad quickly in the event of an emergency. Photo credit: > NASA/Kim Shiflett > + View High-res Image > <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170147main_07pd0477.jpg> > > *Plotting Their Escape.* > In addition to M-113 training, the terminal countdown demonstration > test includes teaching each astronaut how to make an emergency egress > from the launch pad using the slidewire basket system. From left are > Commander Rick Sturckow, Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester, Pilot > Lee Archambault, and Mission Specialists Danny Olivas, Steven Swanson > and James Reilly. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett. > + View High-res Image > <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170148main_07pd0491.jpg> > > *Preparing for Takeoff.* > At the Shuttle Landing Facility, Commander Sturckow sits in the > cockpit of the shuttle training aircraft, ready to begin practice > flights. The aircraft is a Grumman American Aviation-built Gulf Stream > II jet that was modified to simulate an orbiter's cockpit, motion and > visual cues, and handling qualities. In flight, it duplicates the > orbiter's descent from approximately 35,000 feet altitude to landing > on a runway. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett > + View High-res Image > <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170149main_07pd0503.jpg> > > *Posing at the Top.* > On the 215-foot level of the fixed service structure on Launch Pad > 39A, STS-117 crew members gather for a photo near the solid rocket > boosters and external tank of Space Shuttle Atlantis after completing > the terminal countdown demonstration test. From left are Mission > Specialists Danny Olivas and Steven Swanson, Pilot Lee Archambault, > Commander Rick Sturckow, and Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and > James Reilly. The STS-117 mission is No. 21 to the International Space > Station. Mission payloads aboard Atlantis include the S3/S4 integrated > truss structure, a third set of solar arrays and batteries. The crew > of six astronauts will install the truss to continue assembly of the > station. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett > + View High-res Image > <http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/170154main_07pd0544.jpg> > > >

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Expedition 15 Prepares for Upcoming Spacewalks
by Arthur Rowe 26 May '07

26 May '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Expedition 15 Prepares for Upcoming Spacewalks* ISS015-E-08953 --- Kennedy Space Center on May 21, 2007 from the International Space StationImage above: Flight Engineer Sunita Williams took this photo of the Kennedy Space Center around midday on May 21, 2007. The Space Shuttle Atlantis, scheduled for a launch no earlier than June 8, sits on Pad A (center frame) at launch complex 39. Image credit: NASA TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov are preparing for two spacewalks. The main objectives of the first Russian excursion on May 30 are to install orbital debris protection panels on the Zvezda service module, route cables associated with the Automated Transfer Vehicle navigation systems and replace experiments on the module's hull. Additionally, the two cosmonauts checked out the spacesuits and the Pirs airlock, prepared tools and closed the hatch to the Progress resupply vehicle docked to Pirs. Wednesday's spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 2:20 p.m. EDT (1820 UTC) and will last about six hours. NASA Television coverage of the spacewalk will begin at 1:30 p.m. (1730 UTC) + Read more about the May 30 spacewalk <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/exp15_ev…> On May 23, Russian flight controllers executed an orbit adjustment burn, increasing the station’s speed about one mile an hour and putting it in the proper orbit for Atlantis’ arrival on the STS-117 mission. Flight Engineer Sunita Williams is preparing for her return to Earth. Williams conducted a 10-minute video tour of her home on the station and downlinked it to astronaut Clay Anderson, her replacement on Expedition 15. + Expedition 15 Spacewalk Briefing Materials, May 23, 2007 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/exp15_ms…> + Read more about the Progress 25 docking <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/exp15_pr…> + Read more about Expedition 15 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/index.ht…> + View crew daily timelines <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html>

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ARISS Event - EFLS Sainte Marie, Suarlee, Belgium, Tuesday (May 29) 07:22 UTC
by Ponder, Stephen H. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 25 May '07

25 May '07

An International Space Station Expedition 15 ARISS school contact has been planned with students at EFLS Sainte Marie, Suarlee, Belgium, on 29 May 2007. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 07:22 UTC. The contact will be a Telebridge between stations NA1SS and W6SRJ. ARISS ground station W6SRJ is located in Santa Rosa, California, USA. NA1SS will be operated by US astronaut Sunita Williams, KD5PLB. Between Santa Rosa, California, and Suarlee, Belgium, the signals will be relayed by telephone line. The participants are expected to conduct the conversation in English. Additional listening options are listed below: IRLP - Connect to the IRLP reflector 9010. You may also connect via the IRLP Discovery website at http://www.discoveryreflector.ca/listen.htm. EchoLink - The audio from this contact will be available on the EchoLink *AMSAT* (node 101 377) and the *JK1ZRW* (node 277 208) conference rooms. Please connect to the *JK1ZRW* server to keep the load light on the *AMSAT* server. This will ensure good audio quality for all listeners. The Sainte Marie school is located in Suarlee, a village in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium. There are 65 school children in 4 classes, 3-12 years old. The participating class is made up of 19 pupils, ages 10-12. Space is present everywhere in the classroom ... more even since the announcement of the contact with the ISS. The pupils were astonished, more enthusiastic, and deeply engaged in this project. For instance, the pupils examine the huge distances between the planets of the solar system and use Internet research, along with newspapers, to gather up-to-date information about space activities, such as the recent Discovery Shuttle mission. Students will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. What kind of experiments are you conducting on the ISS? 2. What kind of changes does the body experience in weightlessness? 3. Are living conditions very different in space from what they are on earth, for example eating and sleeping? 4. During these months in space, do you feel like you have missed something on earth? 5. Do you have any free-time on ISS during the day? 6. If you had to return to Earth for some reason, how quickly could you do it? 7. What kinds of things do you do for fun? 8. When you are in space, do you think about the ecology of the earth? 9. How are the relations between the astronauts during the mission? Will you stay in touch with them, once you are back on earth? 10. Did you bring some personal items with you, family portraits for example? 11. Up to now, what is your best souvenir of your mission to the ISS? Why? 12. What do you think about space tourism? Is it going to slow down your work? 13. What kinds of things do you think about when you are looking at the Blue Planet? 14. Is it sometimes possible for you to have a moment alone? 15. How do you keep up with the different time zones? What time is it currently aboard the ISS? 16. During your training, do you have enough time to prepare everything you are going to do for 6 months? 17. Is your health constantly monitored from earth? 18. What are the benefits of having female crewmembers on ISS? Information about the next scheduled ARISS contact can be found at http://www.rac.ca/ariss/upcoming.htm#NextContact . Next planned event(s): NASA Teacher to Teacher Conference, NASA/Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, USA, Telebridge via WH6PN Thursday 2007-05-31 17:32 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, Stephen Ponder - N5WBI

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ISS STATUS REPORT #SS07-28
by Arthur Rowe 25 May '07

25 May '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 May 25, 2007 Katherine Trinidad Headquarters, Washington 202-358-3749 John Ira Petty Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 STATUS REPORT: SS07-28 INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION STATUS REPORT: SS07-28 HOUSTON - Expedition 15 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov prepared this week for two spacewalks while Flight Engineer Suni Williams prepared for her return to Earth. In preparation for her successor's arrival, Williams' downlinked a 10-minute video tour for Clayton Anderson, who will travel to the station on the upcoming space shuttle flight. Mission managers gave a "go" for a May 30 Russian spacewalk to install orbital debris protection panels on the Zvezda service module and a GPS antenna cable associated with Automated Transfer Vehicle navigation systems. This will be the 18th Russian spacewalk in support of station assembly and maintenance. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 1:20 p.m. CDT and last approximately six hours. NASA Television coverage will begin at 12:30 p.m. First-time spacewalkers Yurchikhin and Kotov checked out the spacesuits and the Pirs airlock, prepared their tools, and closed the hatch to the Progress resupply vehicle docked to Pirs. Williams, who will help coordinate the spacewalk from inside the station, also prepared U.S. tools that will be used. During the spacewalk, the cosmonauts will retrieve a package, known as the "Christmas tree," which contains three bundles of debris panels. They were temporarily stowed on Pressurized Mating Adapter 3 during the STS-116 mission last December. After transferring the panels to Zvezda, Yurchikhin and Kotov will install the panels from one bundle. The others will be installed during their June 6 Russian spacewalk. Mission managers this week conducted a preliminary review of that spacewalk. Williams this week installed updated software on the station's laptop computers, replaced the elastic "flex packs" in two Resistive Exercise Device canisters used to simulate weightlifting in the absence of gravity, and worked out on a stationary bicycle while medical experts on the ground measured her oxygen intake as part of a periodic fitness evaluation. The crew members also prepared for the arrival of space shuttle Atlantis, targeted to launch on June 8. Yurchikhin and Kotov reviewed a recent digital photography practice session with shuttle imagery specialists, and Williams assembled a spacewalk tool to be used by shuttle astronauts who will retract the P6 starboard solar array. Along with filming the station video, Suni Williams also spoke with Clayton Anderson to help him prepare for his mission. It will begin officially when his specially-fitted Soyuz seat liner is transferred from Atlantis to the station during the STS-117 mission. On Wednesday, Russian flight controllers executed an orbit adjustment burn, increasing the station's speed about one mile an hour and putting it in the proper orbit for Atlantis' arrival. The Expedition 15 crew also participated in interviews with WBZ Radio, CBS Radio, ABC News and MSNBC. For more about the crew's activities and station sighting opportunities, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/station -end-

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Preparations Continue for Next Week's Spacewalk
by Arthur Rowe 24 May '07

24 May '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 Preparations Continue for Next Week's Spacewalk ISS015-E-05624 --- The Niagara River photographed by Expedition 15 Image above: The Niagara River, eastern end of Lake Erie and western end of Lake Ontario are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 15 crew member on the International Space Station. Image credit: NASA TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html In the Pirs Docking Compartment, Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov continued preparations for the upcoming spacewalk on May 30. Activities included charging an Orlan battery, installing hardware on the spacesuits, preparing auxiliary equipment for the suits, setting up additional portable air repress bottles and separating liquid and gas in the cooling systems. Using the airlock requires it to be isolated from the ISS Progress 24 cargo ship docked to it. To this end, Yurchikhin and Kotov installed the docking mechanism, closed the hatches and performed leak checks. Wednesday's station reboost by the ISS Progress 25 thrusters was successful. The purpose of the maneuver was to position the station for the STS-117 launch in June. + Expedition 15 Spacewalk Briefing Materials, May 23, 2007 + Read more about the Progress 25 docking + Read more about Expedition 15 + View crew daily timelines

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Re: Packet and Crossband repeater
by Patrick McGrane 23 May '07

23 May '07

Greetings- I thought your reply was interesting. I for one only voted once and I could say the same thing about packet voters but I believe the vast majority of amateurs are honest enough to vote only once. We are both biased towards our own interests, I guess this is how negotiations work, hi. Well, anyway, please try to provide ample time for crossband repeat using the existing equipment. Thanks, pat n2oeq ------- Original Message ------- >From : Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR][mailto:[email protected]] Sent : 5/22/2007 10:15:13 AM To : sarex(a)amsat.org Cc : Subject : RE: [sarex] Re: Packet and Crossband repeater I would be very wary of that poll providing any useful data since it was set up so that anyone could vote numerous times. The results are very likely skewed. In the long term, I expect the crossband repeater function will be enabled more often (maybe full time?) once the complete compliment of hardware is on board. The current operations are base on available hardware and crew interest. Numerous procedures and even a quick reference guide for both radio systems are available for the crew to use should they be interested. Kenneth - N5VHO -----Original Message-----

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Space Station Reboost Wednesday Night
by Arthur Rowe 23 May '07

23 May '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 *Space Station Reboost Wednesday Night* Image above: Fyodor Yurchikhin (left), Oleg Kotov (right) and Sunita Williams photographed during a teleconference in the Zvezda Service Module. Image credit: NASA TO VIEW IMAGE GO TO: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html The next station reboost is scheduled for May 23 at about 7:30 p.m. EDT, using the ISS Progress 25 thrusters. The purpose of the maneuver is to position the station for the STS-117 launch in June. Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Oleg Kotov continue preparations for their upcoming spacewalk. The spacewalkers spent several hours checking out and readying their spacesuits and charging battery packs. Yurchikhin will wear the Russian Orlan suit with red stripes and Kotov will wear the suit with blue stripes. A pre-spacewalk fitness evaluation was conducted on the two cosmonauts, which involved a cardiovascular evaluation using the cycle ergometer. + Expedition 15 Spacewalk Briefing Materials, May 23, 2007 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/exp15_ms…> To check water quality, Flight Engineer Sunita Williams took samples of potable water for chemical and microbial analysis. Some samples will be returned to Earth on STS-117, while a quicker microbial in-flight sampling is done using the Micro Sample In-Flight Analysis Packet. Williams conducted the status check and filter inspection of the science experiment of seed germination modules and nematode worms housed in the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus incubator. Students in the U.S. and Malaysia are participating in educational activities in their classrooms while monitoring the growth in orbit. + Read more about the Progress 25 docking <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/exp15_pr…> + Read more about Expedition 15 <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition15/index.ht…> + View crew daily timelines <http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines/index.html>

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-05-23 19:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 23 May '07

23 May '07

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2007-05-23 19:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: EFLS Sainte-Marie SUARLEE, Suarlee,Belgium, telebridge via W6SRJ Tue 2007-05-29 07:22 UTC 53 deg via W6SRJ NASA Teacher conference, Houston, Texas, telebridge via WH6PN Thu 2007-05-31 17:32 UTC 43 deg via WH6PN Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 298. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 1. 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 2007-05-23 19:00 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 2007-05-21 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_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 14/15 on orbit: Sunita Williams, KD5PLB Expedition 15 on orbit: Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI Dr. Oleg Kotov Expedition 15 future: Clayton Anderson KD5PLA Daniel Tani KD5DXE ***************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

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STS-118 MISSION TO HAVE A TEACHER
by Arthur Rowe 23 May '07

23 May '07

SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468 > May 23, 2007 > > Sonja Alexander > Headquarters, Washington > 202-358-1761 > > > NASA, AOL AND MAD SCIENCE CHOOSE PENNANT DESIGN CHALLENGE WINNER > > WASHINGTON - On Tuesday, NASA, AOL's kids service, KOL, and Mad > Science announced that Tapasya Das of Mount Laurel, N.J., is the > winner of the NASA Space Pennant Design Challenge. The winning > pennant, titled "Education 4 Exploration," will fly on space shuttle > Endeavour's STS-118 mission, targeted to launch this August. The > grand prize also includes the opportunity for the winner to view the > launch. > > The competition received thousands of entries showcasing students' > vision for space. The entries required students to research, apply > what they learned, and write an explanation of their design and how > their pennant incorporates their knowledge about the STS-118 shuttle > flight or America's long-term exploration strategy, known as the > Vision for Space Exploration. The Vision for Space Exploration is the > program that will see humans return to the moon and then travel to > Mars and beyond. > > Space shuttle Endeavour's STS-118 mission will mark the first flight > for Mission Specialist Barbara Morgan, an educator who is fully > trained as an astronaut. This mission is an important step in the > ongoing assembly of the International Space Station. > > Through the NASA Space Pennant Design Challenge, NASA continues its > tradition of investing in the nation's education programs. To compete > effectively for the minds, imaginations and career ambitions of > America's young people, NASA is focused on engaging and retaining > students in education efforts that encourage their pursuit of > disciplines critical to NASA's future engineering, scientific and > technical missions. > > For more information on the winning pennant and essay and a list of > the finalist, visit: > > http://www.KOLexpeditions.com > > For more information about NASA's STS-118 mission, visit: > > http://www.nasa.gov/sts118 > > > -end- > > > > > >

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