Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report February 27, 2012

1. Upcoming School Contacts

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled for Parkside Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, March 2 at 16:42 UTC via station K6DUE in Greenbelt, Maryland. The ARISS contact is part of a comprehensive education plan which will pique students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). An article about this contact appears on the NASA Talk Web site where ideas are shared about the contact and lesson plans. Contact audio may be available on NASA-TV. http://nasatalk.com/component/resource/article/bylines/164-nasa-and-stem-res...

The 5th Geniko Lykeio Katerinis in Katerini, Greece has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Friday, March 2 at 17:03 UTC. This activity has been integrated into the school curriculum covering astronomy and ham radio issues. Special attention has been given to the ISS regarding its role in humanity and science, its orbit and the every day life of the astronaut. ISS courses were based on ESA's education tool, "ISS Education Kit."

2. ARISS Contact Featured at John Glenn Event

On Monday, February 20, an ARISS contact was held during the John Glenn Event at the State Records Office of Western Australia in Perth, via telebridge station AH6NM in Hawaii. The contact was held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of John Glenn's orbit of the Earth, when the population of Perth turned on its lights and Glenn observed the city was visible from space, leading to Perth's nickname, "City of Lights." The event opened with a pre-recorded video address given by Senator Glenn. Speeches from Australia's leading scientists were also given, followed by the ARISS contact with Dan Burbank, KC5ZSX on the ISS. The event was streamed live on the internet and was covered by television stations and ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Radio.

3. Italian Students Experience ARISS Contact

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held between 1° Circolo Didattico Nicola Fornelli located in Bitonto, Italy and on-orbit astronaut Don Pettit, KD5MDT on Friday, February 24. The students had all their questions addressed concerning what it takes to become an astronaut and what it is like to live on the ISS. The contact highlighted their studies covering life in space, communications, space conquests and research, artificial satellites and the ISS. Approximately 300 people turned out for the event, including Italian Air Force officers and media representatives.

4. ARISS International Team Teleconference Held

The monthly ARISS International Team teleconference was held on Tuesday, February 21. Topics of discussion included a World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 (WRC-12) abstract concerning nano- and picosatellites, the status of Ham TV and an update on the replacement VHF Ericsson. Minutes have been posted: http://ariss.rac.ca/arisstel2012-02-21.htm

5. Astronaut Training Status

Astronaut Alexander Gerst, who passed his amateur radio license exam on February 13, has been given the callsign KF5ONO. He is scheduled to fly with Expedition 40 in May 2014.

An introductory session is planned for Gregory Wiseman, KF5LKT (Expedition 40, May 2014) on Monday, February 27 and a preflight session is scheduled for Expedition 32 astronauts Sunita Williams, KD5PLB and Akihiko Hoshide, KE5DNI on Monday, March 5. Williams and Hoshide will fly later this year.