Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report July 26, 2010

1. Upcoming School Contact

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled for the 2010 National Boy Scout Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia on Saturday, July 31 at 18:21 UTC. The jamboree is being planned for about 43,000 Scouts and leaders in 825 troops, plus some 5,000 staff members for support, program and headquarters services. The K2BSA Amateur Radio Demonstration Area is a hot spot of activity throughout the Jamboree. At past Jamborees, thousands of Scouts toured K2BSA. More than 300 earned their Radio Merit Badges and more than 100 new Technician licenses were earned. The club supporting this event is the K2BSA Amateur Radio Association.

2. ARISS Contact with International Space University Students

On Wednesday, July 21, International Space University in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France, participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with Shannon Walker, KD5DXB on the ISS. Twelve questions were answered and regional television covered the event. In preparation for their contact, students studied the basics of satellite communications and learned about human spaceflight and space exploration.

3. ARRL Covers 2010 National Scout Jamboree

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) posted a story on its web page covering the upcoming 2010 National Boy Scout Jamboree during which an ARISS contact is planned. The article was also included in the ARRL Letter. See: http://www.arrl.org/news/connect-with-the-national-scout-jamboree-via-amateu...

4. ARISS-Brazil Web Page Updated

ARISS-Brazil has updated its Web page. The site has a new URL: http://www.qsl.net/py1kcf/

5. Astronaut Training Status

Astronauts Ron Garan, KF5GPO, and Mike Fossum, KF5AQG, each successfully completed a simulated Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with the Challenger Learning Center of Indianapolis on Thursday, July 22. Garan and Fossum answered 14 and 22 questions respectively during their contacts. These training sessions were terrestrial-based amateur radio contacts using ARISS equivalent equipment.

6. Astronaut T. J. Creamer Participates in ISS Ham Debrief

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) debrief session was held with Expedition 22/23 astronaut T. J. Creamer, KC5WKI on Monday, July 19. The feedback received will help ARISS with its program operations.

7. ARISS International Team Meeting Held

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International Team teleconference was held on Tuesday, July 20. Discussions included a status on the Columbus Module radio equipment as well as an update on ARISSat-1. The minutes have been posted. See: https://www.rac.ca/ariss/arisstel2010-07-20.htm