Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report January 10, 2011

1. Upcoming School Contacts

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled for Tsutsujigaoka Minami Elementary School in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday, January 12 at 08:08 UTC. Students participating in the contact are learning about space science and the global cooperation required to operate the ISS.

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled for Istituto Comprensivo Marco Polo-Viani Scuola Secondaria 1° Grado, Viareggio, Lucca, Italy on Wednesday, January 12 at 10:54 UTC. Through this contact, the school hopes to increase students' interest in science, technology, space research and other space-related subject matter.

Istituto Comprensivo Via Toscana 2 in Civitavecchia, Italy has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Saturday, January 15 at 09:02 UTC. The school, with an enrollment of 750 children, ages 3-14, has prepared questions about life in space and the research performed on the ISS.

2. Italian Students Chat with Astronaut through ARISS Contact

On Saturday, January 8, University of Bari "Cittadella Mediterranea della Scienza" in Bari, Italy participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA. Prior to the contact, ARISS mentor Francesco De Paolis, IK0WGF introduced the event via phone line. Nespoli made the radio link with the students, answering 14 of their questions. A second contact was established on the following ISS pass to finish up the questions and exchange greetings. Approximately 100 students, teachers, visitors and media attended. Regional television, local media and newspapers covered the event and video was streamed over the internet, receiving more than 100 connections. Cittadella Mediterranea della Scienza promotes technology and scientific knowledge in schools of all grades using projects that encourage academic research.

3. Astronaut Training Status

Astronaut Chris Cassidy was given an introductory session on ARISS this past week. He will train for his amateur radio license and plans to participate in the ARISS program. He is currently scheduled to fly in the spring of 2013.

4. ARRISat Featured in February QST

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) posted a story in its January 6 ARRL Letter about the February issue of QST which features ARISSat-1 on its front cover. The ARRL monthly journal has a circulation of 156,000. See: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2011-01-06

5. AMSAT Posts ARISSat-1 Update to Web Site

The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) posted an update on its Web page covering the current status of ARISSat-1. "ARISSat-1/RadioSkaf-V Integration and Testing Underway in Moscow," may be viewed here: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/index.php

6. AMSAT Articles on ARISS News

On January 9, the AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) News Service bulletin (ANS-009) included two ARISS-related news items. "ARISSat-1/RadioSkaf-V Update" and "ARISS School Contacts Resume for 2011" may be found at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/48hour/msg83129.html