Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report February 14, 2011

1. Upcoming School Contacts

An ARISS contact has been scheduled for Istituto di Istruzione Superiore "Claudio Varalli," in Milano, Italy on Thursday, February 17 at 10:33 UTC via telebridge station W5RRR in Houston. I.I.S. Varalli has both a technical school and a secondary school which concentrates in foreign languages. Prior to the ARISS activity, students will learn about space exploration and wireless technology, and will use the school's amateur radio club station IZ2SHS to practice speaking in English, French, German and Spanish.

Experiencing Learning, "Imparare Sperimentando," in San Quirino, Italy has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Saturday, February 19 at 11:43 UTC via station LU8YY in Argentina. "Imparare Sperimentando" is an interactive exhibition that covers a wide variety of physics experiments and science appropriate for people of all ages and levels of study. It is meant to represent a new method to teach physics and science, to attract young people and adults in a course often seen as boring or difficult. The exhibits offer a way to learn by trial and error, playing and having fun.

2. Successful ARISS Contacts Held this Week

On Thursday, February 10, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held between astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZØJPA and Istituto Comprensivo Statale "E. Fermi - A. Oggioni," Villasanta, Monza Brianza, Italy via telebridge station VK5ZAI in Australia. During the ISS pass Nespoli answered 19 questions and exchanged greetings with the youth. An audience of approximately 200 students and others were on hand for the contact and afterwards, students sang the well known hit "Volare" which means "To fly." Regional and local media and newspapers covered the event and streaming video, provided by AMSAT-Italia, received 80 connections.

On-orbit astronaut Cady Coleman, KC5ZTH participated in an ARISS contact with Lake Silver Elementary School students in Orlando, Florida on February 10 via radio station LU8YY in Argentina. Coleman answered 14 questions as a large crowd of students, parents and guests gathered for the event. The school put together a comprehensive education plan to compliment this ARISS contact.

An ARISS contact was held between Lillestrøm videregående skole, Lillestrøm, Norway and Cady Coleman, KC5ZTH on the ISS on Friday, February 11. Station W5RRR in Houston, Texas handled the radio connection. Over 150 people assembled for the event and listened as the astronaut fielded eight questions, mainly in Norwegian. The contact was the highlight of a science and applied technology curriculum.

National Institute for Astrophysics - Astronomical Observatory of Bologna, Bologna, Italy took part in an ARISS contact on Saturday, February 12 via telebridge station LU8YY in Argentina. Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZØJPA participated from the ISS, answering 16 questions. Approximately 150 people were present for the contact which occurred during the Bologna science festival, "Scienza in Piazza," held February 3 - 13. The festival focuses on schools, promoting science through hands-on exhibitions and conferences and is backed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Regional and local media and newspapers covered the event.

The audio from all contacts was available on EchoLink and IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project).

3. AMSAT Announces Changes in Plans for ARISSat-1

On February 13, the AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) News Service bulletin (ANS-044) provided a status on ARISSat-1. Over the past week, RSC-Energia made a series of changes to ARISSat-1 plans which included testing the satellite on the ISS and postponing its deployment until July of this year. Two other related items posted in this bulletin included information to prepare for ARISSat SSTV transmissions and educational projects which were submitted and stored on the satellite. To see all stories, go to: http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/2011/000486.html