An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Kopernik Observatory & Science Center (KOSC), Vestal, NY on 30 Oct. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 16:32 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and K2ZRO. The contact should be audible over the east coast of the U.S. and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English.

The Kopernik Observatory & Science Center (KOSC) is a non-profit learning institution that promotes interdisciplinary education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Through its classes, events and programs, KOSC’s multigenerational approach emphasizes experiential, engaged and active learning as a model of STEM education in our region.

Founded in 1973, KOSC has offered hundred of thousands of students of all ages the opportunity to learn about their world and the universe surrounding them. Kopernik’s resources include three permanent telescopes, a heliostat, weather station, three classrooms, photography lab, computer lab and amateur radio station. It also offers a robust outreach program where its educators go to schools to bring its programs directly into the classroom.

KOSC has partnered with Binghamton High School, in Binghamton NY, to offer their students a series of classes and labs on topics such as radio communication, satellite orbits, astronomy and life on the International Space Station (ISS). Those classes and labs will help the students understand and prepare for the capstone event: a direct radio contact between the Amateur Radio Station at KOSC and an astronaut on the ISS. During that event those students will have the opportunity to directly ask an astronaut on the ISS a wide range of questions about life on the ISS and Space Exploration.

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

1. What inspired you to become an astronaut?

2. How do the stars look from space? Are they brighter or do they look the

same?

3. What do you love the most about being in space that you never expected?

4. While in space is it more stressful physically or mentally?

5. Where do you see human exploration of space going in the next 50 years?

6. Tell us about your training/education to become an astronaut?

7. Did you have any fears/concerns when you first went to the ISS?

8. What do you miss most about being on earth that you never expected to

miss at all?

9. What happens if you become ill on the space station?

10. What challenges do you find in living in 0g environment?

11. What is the food like on ISS?

12. How do you go to the bathroom and where does it go? Is it uncomfortable

to go to the bathroom in space?

13 How much of the natural disasters taking place on Earth, such as forest

fires in California or flooding in Colorado are visible from space?

14 On the ISS have you see or witnessed anything particularly peculiar?

15 Do you have any free time? What do you do for fun?

PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES:

Sign up for the SAREX maillist at

http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/sarex

Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the

International Space Station(ARISS).

To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status

Next planned event(s):

1. Wallingford STEM Academy/Town of Wallingford, Wallingford, CT, direct

via K1SEZ

Thu, 31Oct.2013, 15:45 UTC

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