Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report December 15, 2008

1. Upcoming School Contacts

King George Elementary School in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Monday, December 15 at 16:51 UTC. Following the school's science curriculum, students studied space, space exploration, satellites and technology. They learned about the Canadian Space Agency, Canadian astronauts and the CanadArm. Students created posters and wrote letters to invite scientists, politicians and the press to the event. They also created PowerPoint presentations about the ISS.

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled with Scuola Elementare Faleriense "Gianni Rodari" in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy on Thursday, December 18 at 12:10 UTC. The school's "New Technologies" program presents subjects and activities for skill oriented learning. It involves children in educational research and experiments. Amateur radio operators have participated in teaching the students about the use and importance of radio.

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum in Ann Arbor, Michigan has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Saturday, December 27 at 15:53 UTC. The museum provides opportunities to people of all ages to discover science, math and technology in an interactive environment. Science literacy is promoted through experimentation, exploration and education. Among the 200,000 that visit the museum annually are 36,000 students. The museum has received national recognition by the National Science Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Association of Science and Technology Centers. The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is consistently rated the Best Kids' Activity in the annual "Best of Ann Arbor" list. Utilizing the amateur radio station exhibit at the museum to make contact with the ISS will provide validation of how technology can make such an event possible.

2. Ellis School Contact Successful

On Monday, December 8, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held between Ellis School in Belleville, Illinois and Sandra Magnus, KE5FYE, on the ISS. Forty students were present for the contact and watched as all 21 questions were answered. A DVD of the contact was made and will be shown to the rest of the school. Three St. Louis television stations and one newspaper covered this educational event. The Belleville News-Democrat article may be viewed here: http://www.bnd.com/372/story/571661.html

3. Texan Schoolchildren Speak with Astronaut

Children at Stephen F. Austin Elementary School in Richmond, Texas participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Tuesday, December 9. Sandra Magnus, KE5FYE answered 20 questions posed to her by 12 students. To view the Fort Bend Herald article, go to: http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2008/12/10/news/doc494013ed5f4d0836743840.t...

Approximately forty fourth grade students at Walnut Creek Elementary in Azle, Texas also listened in to this contact. Two children kept a LEO Yagi antenna pointed at the ISS while the other children "asked" the questions. These students enjoyed their simulated contact.

4. Italian School Contact Successful

Students at Istituto Comprensivo "Marco Polo," in Grado, Italy spoke with Sandra Magnus, KE5FYE on the ISS. The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact took place on Wednesday, December 10. Eleven questions were asked and answered. An audience of more than 160 students, parents, teachers and visitors attended. Local media and newspapers covered the event. The contact audio and photos may be found on the ARISS-Europe Web site: http://www.ariss-eu.org/2008_12_13.htm

5. Successful ARISS Contact with Bari Students

On Friday, December 12, students attending 2 Circolo Didattico San Giuseppe in Mola di Bari, Bari, Italy participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with Mike Fincke, KE5AIT. Approximately 250 students, parents, teachers and guests gathered for the occasion. The local media covered the event. For more information, including audio and photos, go to the ARISS-Europe Web site: http://www.ariss-eu.org/2008_12_14.htm

6. Boy Scouts ARISS Contact - Video Posted

On Saturday, September 13, Prairielands Council Scouts attending the Space Jamboree at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with Greg Chamitoff, KD5PKZ. A video of the contact has been posted on YouTube. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsL4OkZb9CQ

7. NASA HQ Cites Stories on ARISS Contacts

NASA Headquarters News Service picked up on reports of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contacts with Quispamsis Schools in New Brunswick, Canada and Ellis School in Belleville, Illinois. It cited stories from CBC News and the Belleville News-Democrat, respectively.

8. ARISS 25th Anniversary Special Event Update

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of ham radio in space, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) commemorative event will be held during the month of December through early January. A special certificate is being developed for those who communicate with the ISS, either 2-way direct (with the ISS crew, the digipeater, or cross band repeater), or 1-way reception of SSTV or voice downlink. For more information and an update on this event, see: http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm under "Latest News."

9. Canadian Contact Video Available

Quispamsis Elementary and Middle Schools in New Brunswick, Canada enjoyed an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Thursday, December 4. Live streaming video of the event was available and 1209 connections were made from over 25 countries. The video has been posted to the Aliant Web site. To view the contact, go to: www.aliant.net/SpaceStation