An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at KIPP:3D Academy, Houston, Texas USA on 20 August. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:16 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and W6SRJ. The contact should be audible over the west coast of the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact will be conducted in English.

KIPP 3D Academy functions as a public charter school, serving middle-

school age students. The mission of 3D Academy is simple, yet

powerful: to provide students with the knowledge, critical thinking,

and character skills required to prepare them for the rigors of

competitive high schools, colleges, and the world beyond. Armed with

these skills and achievements, students at 3D Academy recognize an

outstanding education as the instrument to achieve personal success.

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

1. What does it feel like to float around in space? 2. Is there any way to create gravity in space? 3. What is the food like? 4. Where did you go to college? 5. What did you study in college? 6. Was it hard to become an astronaut? 7. Do you miss your family? 8. What does it feel like to blast off? 9. What do you do on a space walk? 10. What happens if you lose one of your tools in space? 11. How long does it take to get into outer space after blast off? 12. What kind of training do astronauts go through? 13. What is your space suit like? Is it heavy? 14. What do you eat in outer space? 15. Would you ever want to go on a mission to the moon? Mars? 16. Do you think we will ever explore other solar systems? Galaxies? 17. When are you coming back to earth? 18. How do you sleep in outer space?

Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be found at http://www.ariss.org/upcoming.htm#NextContact.

Next planned event(s):

1. Girl and Boy Scouts of Maur: "Pfadimuur", Forch, Switzerland Sat 22 August 09 08:20 UTC

2. Nova East Star Party, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Halifax Center, NS, Canada, Sat 22 August 09 12:54 UTC

3. Tenison Woods College, Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia, Mon 24 August 09 07:19 UTC

4. Volkssterrenwacht Urania, Hove, Antwerp, Belgium If STS-128 is not delayed, contact is a go for: Mon 24 August 09 10:22

UTC

If STS-128 launch is delayed, contact is a go for: Mon 24 August 09 11:30

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