Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report March 15, 2010
1. Upcoming School Contacts
An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled with 18 Dimotiko Scholeio Peristeriou in Athens, Greece on Tuesday, March 16 at 11:37 UTC. The contact was integrated into the school curriculum through astronomy and amateur radio lectures and special attention was given to the ISS regarding its role in humanity and science. The ISS courses were based on ESA's "ISS Education Kit." The amateur radio presentation included a demonstration of the equipment and its operation.
Shiogama Daini Junior High School in Shiogama, Japan has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Thursday, March 25 at 07:44 UTC. To prepare for the contact, the youth studied astronomy and were introduced to the Hubble Space Telescope. They learned about radio communication and some students continued their studies and prepared for their amateur radio license exams.
2. JAXA Astronaut Participates in ARISS Contact with Alma Mater
On Tuesday, March 9, JAXA's Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with his alma mater, Ikaruga Elementary School, in Taishi Town, Japan. Approximately 350 guests watched as fifteen students asked their questions of the on-orbit astronaut. This ARISS activity was the highlight of the Ikaruga science curriculum on environmental issues and received significant media coverage.
3. Astronaut Training Status
On Monday, March 15, astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA will take part in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) simulated contact with students from Quintino Sella, Biella, Italy. The contact is slated for approximately 13:30 UTC. Audio will be available on IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project). This training session is a terrestrial-based amateur radio contact using ARISS equivalent equipment.
4. ARISS News on Amateur Radio Newsline
The Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1700, posted on March 12, covers the Boselli Prize awarded to the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) program last week. The article, "Ham Radio in Space: ARISS Wins Boselli Prize," may be found at: ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt