An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Centre scolaire de Berlaymont in Waterloo, Belgium on 22 June. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 12:15 UTC.

The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 23 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 is expected to be conducted in English or Dutch.

The Berlaymont School Center is located in a rural area of Waterloo, Belgium.

The school is truly international in that their primary grades consist 500 pupils of 21 different nationalities taught by 32 teachers. In addition, their secondary school has a student population of 1000.

Students in the 6th primary level are tasked with a project called "Cap Ten", subsidized by several private enterprises. To carry out this project, the students choose a science related subject in which they perform substantial research. This consists of developing questions relative to the subject, consulting with experts knowledgable in the field, possibly inviting a specialist as part of the final presentation which takes place at the end of the school year. One of these projects involved the class meeting with a radio amateur which resulted in the school being chosen for this contact.

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

1. What is it like to be in Space? What do you feel?

2. Is the Earth beautiful, seen from Space?

3. What does Space look like?

4. Which details of the Earth (wall of China or others) do you recognize?

5. Is it true that you can see Belgium at night because of the lights?

6. Did you cross meteorites?

7. Do you observe the effect of pollution on the environment?

8. Which planets do you from Space?

9. Do you observe natural phenomena (tornados)?

10.How do you manage to wash yourself?

11.How can you take food with you for so long a time?

12.Is the food good?

13.Is it true that you are attached when you go to bed?

14.Which are the main objectives of the mission?

15.Why have you to leave for so long a time?

16.What is the difference between a long-term mission and a short one in

terms of preparation?

17.Which medical progress will result from research on weightlessness?

18.Did you go on a spacewalk since you are onboard?

19.What physical condition is required for space travel?

20.Why did you choose this profession?

21.For how many years have you been a radio amateur?

22.How often can you talk to your relatives?

23.Can you look to the sun without burning your eyes, as on earth?

24 What are your activities in a working day?

25.Thank you for answering our questions and good luck on your mission!

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

Next planned event(s):

1. Karel de Grote-Hogeschool, Departement IWT, Hoboken, Belgium, Sat 27 June 09 09:33 UTC

2. Inukjuak Space Camp, Kuujjuaq Quebec, Canada,

Thu 2 July 09 17:58 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