An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Preston North East Primary School, Preston, Victoria, Australia on 22 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 08:04 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and W5RRR. Portions of the contact should be audible over the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English.

Preston North East Primary School has a current enrollment of 300 students. Our School offers a challenging and comprehensive curriculum that equips children with the necessary skills and knowledge to become well-adjusted adults and contributing members of the community. Information & Communication Technology continues to be a high priority at the school. Interactive whiteboards are in several classrooms with plans to purchase new ones. Students also access inter-school sport, a school camp and a variety of excursions which utilise the school bus. The school caters for newly arrived students through exemplary programs that have been established.

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

1. How does the ISS move around Earth without an engine?

2. What can you tell us about the 'lotus plant' inspired space gear

protection?

3. What happens if there is an emergency onboard the ISS if there are no

contacts?

4. Is there any proof as to the existence of vegetation or inhabitants in

other planets rather than earth?

5. Where did you get your inspiration to become an astronaut?

6. How long does it take to get from Earth to the ISS?

7. What happens if you get a cut while on board the ISS? Will all the blood

come out quickly?

8. Can oxygen be recycled? What happens to carbon dioxide after you breathe

it out?

9. Is the ISS in danger of colliding with meteorites or space junk?

10. How long did it take to assemble the ISS?

11. How big is the International Space Station in metres?

12. How long can you be in space for at any one time?

13. What new research have you conducted in the last 12 months?

14. What do you enjoy most about your job?

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

Next planned event(s):

1. Nishibori Eizaburo Memorial Explorer Musium Radio Club, Higashiomi,

Shiga, Japan, direct via TBD

Tue 22 Feb. 2011 09:12 UTC

2. Istituzione Scolalstica "Saint-Roch", Aosta, I-11100, Italy,

telebridge via LU8YY

Contact is a go for STS-133 slip plan only:

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:36 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