Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report January 2, 2012

1. Poland Contact Successful

On Saturday, December 31, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held between on-orbit Astronaut Dan Burbank, KC5ZSX and students visiting the Historical Museum of Gdansk in Gdansk, Poland. Burbank fielded approximately twelve questions from the students, including those about experiments conducted on the ISS and how micro-gravity affects the human body. The contact was one of the activities the museum held in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the birth of astronomer Johannes Hevelius. The museum displayed exhibitions which represent Hevelius' achievements and research instruments. It also showcased exhibits of modern space exploration.

2. ARISS Presentation at Ham Club

ARISS volunteer Dave Jordan, AA4KN will give a presentation on the ARISS program during the Kings Point Amateur Radio Club (KPARC) monthly meeting on January 9 at 2 pm ET. The club is located in Sun City Center, Florida.

3. AMSAT News Service Covers ARISS

The January 1 AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) News Service bulletin (ANS-001) talks about ARISSat-1 and when it may re-enter Earth's atmosphere; current predictions are between December 30 and January 16. And with the pending re-entry, an update was given on the Chicken Little Contest, with potential winners listed at www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ARISSat/ARISSatContest . Also included in the bulletin this week are "Highlights of ARISS International Delegates Annual Meeting." All items may be found at: http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/2011/000579.html