Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report February 8, 2010

1. Astronaut T. J. Creamer Enjoys ARISS Contact with Riley Ave. Students

On Tuesday, February 2, astronaut Timothy Creamer, KC5WKI spoke with Riley Avenue Elementary School students through an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. The Calverton, New York youth spent weeks preparing for the contact, studying space and the solar system during Science and creating rockets and robots in Art class. The Peconic Amateur Radio Club helped coordinate the contact and provided the equipment used. A Riley fourth grader and newly licensed ham acted as the control operator during the contact.

2. Principal has Good Memories of First ARISS Contact

The first Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held between Bill Shepherd on the ISS and students attending Burbank School in Burbank, Illinois on December 21, 2000. Recently Burbank's principal made the comment, "I continue to feel that the contact and the follow-up visit were by far my best experiences as an educator," which says much about the program and its effect on those who participate. The school continues to display a plaque commemorating the ARISS event in its lobby.

3. ISS Ham Debrief Held with Frank De Winne

Expedition 20/21 astronaut Frank DeWinne, ON1DWN participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) debrief session on Thursday, February 4. The feedback provided will help ARISS update program operations.

4. ARISSat-1 Status Report Posted

AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) posted an article on the status of ARISSat-1. To view "Building the First US ARISSAT-1 Flight Unit Begins," see: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/index.php