An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at 18 Dimotiko Scholeio Peristeriou, Peristeri (Athens), Greece on 16 March. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 11:37 UTC.

The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds.

The contact will be direct between OR4ISS and SX1ISS. 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.

18th Dimotiko (primary) school of Peristeri has 145 pupils in 9 classes. The school is located in Peristeri city, about 7 kilometres from of the center of Athens. The same building complex comprises the 46th primary school of Peristeri with 120 pupils in 9 classes and 3 Kindergarten classes with 75 children. The ARISS project was initiated by the Association of Parents and chaperones of 18th Dimotiko School with the help of the radio amateur SV1HER, the teachers and the principal. The pupils benefited from a special program covering Space, human activities in Space, the International Space Station and amateur radio activities. They also followed special training programs on environment, Olympic education and a special program named "Kallipateiras."

For the ARISS event, the neighbouring Primary schools of Peristeri were invited to participate (sixth class of each School). The total number of participants amounts to about 480 pupils. The pupils from the eight participating schools prepared questions and the 18th Dimotiko School chose 20 questions for the Space Talk.

The Mayor and Vice Mayor accepted to host the ARISS event in the new City Hall amphitheatre.

Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

1. When someone travels to another country, he usually says that his home

country is the most beautiful. Traveling in the universe, do you believe

that the most beautiful planet is the earth? 2. You know that the names of the planets are those of ancient Greek Gods?

What are your feelings now that you are communicating with the country of

the twelve Gods of Olympus? 3. How will climate changes affect the earth in the future? 4. Is the job of an astronaut a difficult one? 5. Which are the necessary preparations before a spaceship sets off? 6. Would you live for ever in a space station or on the moon? 7. What are the necessary qualifications for someone who wishes to become an

astronaut? 8. Why have you decided to be an astronaut? 9. Is there any pollution in space? 10. Would you like your family to be with you? 11. Can space teach us how to save the Earth? 12. How is it possible that your oxygen never ends up? 13. How do you spend your free time? 14. Have you ever seen a "black hole" in space? 15. How did you feel during the launch? 16. How and where do you sleep? 17. What is your research about? Is it difficult? 18. What would you do if an accident happened on the ISS? 19. What is Earth like from space? 20. What effect has zero gravity on your body?

Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be found at http://www.ariss.org/upcoming.htm#NextContact.

Next planned event(s):

1. Shiogama Daini Junior High School, Shiogama, Japan

Thu 25 Mar 2010 11:37 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