An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Valley Manor School, Martensville, SK, Canada on 11 Mar. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 19:23 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and VE5RAC. The contact should be audible over portions of Canada. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English.

Valley Manor School is an Elementary school located in Martensville, Saskatchewan. This Pre k to Grade 8 School has a population of 611 students and over 50 professional and para-professional staff members. The school offers a wide variety of both academic subjects and extra-curricular opportunities. A great emphasis is placed on the schools Code of Conduct which includes the key characteristics of Respect, Responsibility, Caring Attitude and Sharing. Students are given a great deal of responsibility for their own learning and the direction it takes. Teachers support this learning by teaching various strategies that enhance personal growth and satisfaction.

The City of Martensville has a population close to 8000 residents. It is located 10 minutes north of Saskatoon and has one of the fastest growing populations in Canada! There is considerable growth both in the residential and commercial areas. Recently a new pool has been built and within the upcoming years an addition to the high school will see its population double.

Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

1. What can and can't you take into space?

2. What personal items, other than your camera and guitar, did you take on

this mission?

3. Your pictures are amazing. How powerful is your camera's zoom lens?

4. Does the microgravity in the ISS change your voice?

5. How can you actually digest food if there's only microgravity in space?

What happens to the acids in your stomach?

6. What happens if you get sick in space?

7. Last year you told our school you wanted to go to Mars. Will you be

signing up with Mars One to travel to Mars in 2023?

8. How does it feel being with the same people for 3 to 6 months?

9. How fast can you move inside the ISS? Can you run/float fast or do you

move slowly?

10. What's it like to control Canadarm2?

11. We are sampling some "space jerky" from a Saskatchewan company. What is

the most disgusting food you've eaten in space?

12. We watched your launch, but what does it feel like while going up into

space?

13. Did you get to move around in the Soyuz during your trip to the ISS - it

looked pretty cramped!

14. How much pressure is there on your body when you leave the ISS?

15. What has been your best space adventure?

16. Do you get nauseous doing somersaults inside the ISS?

17. Do you strap yourself to the wall or float around when you sleep?

18. We know you can see storm clouds from space. Can you see the snow or

rain falling?

19. What's it like to be on a spacewalk?

20. What is your favourite thing to do on the ISS?

Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be obtained by subscribing to the SAREX maillist. To subscribe, go to http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/maillist/ and choose "How to Subscribe".

Next planned event(s):

1. Mt. Ousley Public School, Fairy Meadow, NSW, Australia, telebridge via

IK1SLD

Tue, 12Mar2013, 07:35 UTC

Due to continuing Space X operations, the above times are subject to last

minute changes or cancellations.

ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participating countries.

ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers on-board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning. Further information on the ARISS program is available on the website http://www.ariss.org/ (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada).

Thank you & 73,

David - AA4KN