Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report
May 14, 2012
1. Farnsworth Contact Successful
An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held between youth at Farnsworth Aerospace PK-8 Magnet School in St. Paul, Minnesota and on-orbit astronaut Don Pettit, KD5MDT on Monday, May 7. Approximately 100 students as well as some school board members and local dignitaries attended the event. The contact was simulcast throughout the school for those classes not present. It was held to complement students' studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Additionally, local hams assisting with the contact increased their club membership from 30 to 50 members since agreeing to support the contact. See: http://www.n9xh.org/ for photos leading up to and including the contact. Local media covered the event which even made the "Around the Nation" section of USA Today for Minnesota.
KARE 11 carried the news:
http://www.kare11.com/news/article/975550/396/St-Paul-students-talk-with-ast ronaut-aboard-space-station
2. AMSAT News Service on ARISS
On May 13, the AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) News Service bulletin (ANS-134) posted an item about the recruitment of ARISS mentors and ground station operators. Mark Hammond, N8MH will give presentations at Dayton Hamvention on Friday and Saturday, May 18 and 19, at 4pm in the ARRL stage area. See: http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/2012/000618.html
3. ARRL Covers New ISS Ham Crew
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) posted an article about the new crew members headed to the ISS on May 14/15. The story, "Three Hams Venture to ISS Next Week," may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/news/three-hams-venture-to-iss-next-week
4. Astronaut Training Status
A preflight session is planned for Chris Hadfield, KC5RNJ/VA3OOG and Thomas Marshburn, KE5HOC on May 14. Both are scheduled to fly with Expedition 34 in November 2012.
Kevin Ford, KF5GPP is also scheduled for a preflight session on May 22. He is slated to launch with the Expedition 33 crew in October 2012.