Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report April 20, 2009

1. Upcoming School Contacts

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled for St. Edward School in Ashland, Ohio, U.S.A. on Monday, April 20 at 16:36 UTC. The ARISS contact has been integrated into the science curriculum which covers topics on satellite images, global positioning of satellites, telescopes, and radio waves. Students read science related books and poems, conducted informational internet searches, wrote stories and informational articles, interviewed amateur radio operators, and studied and applied science and math objectives. Media coverage is expected.

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled for the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. on Space Day, May 2 at 15:23 UTC. This will be a telebridge contact via station W6SRJ in California. Students will be pre-recruited, but Space Day participants will also be invited to ask questions. Visitors will participate in hands-on activities, meet astronauts and learn about space from experts and museum displays.

2. Finnish School Contact Successful

On Friday, April 17, students from Ulvila Upper Secondary School in Ulvila, Satakunta, Finland experienced an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Koichi Wakata, KC5ZTA, answered 10 questions posed to him by six students. Media coverage included a television station and local newspapers. An article was posted on the Uusi Suomi Web site: http://www.uusisuomi.fi/kotimaa/57162-astronautti-vastasi-lukiolaisille-avar...

3. ARRL QST Covers ARISS News

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) published several Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) news items in its May 2009 issue of QST.

Under "In Brief" on page 12 is a piece about Richard Garriott being at the Dayton Hamvention as a special guest of ARRL and AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation).

On page 12 under "Media Hits" is an item about Charles Simonyi's second planned trip to the International Space Station and how he now has a high opinion of amateur radio operators after his first trip.

A two-page article by Rosalie White summarizes Richard Garriott's ARISS activities. "Another Garriott Generates Excitement from Space" may be found on pages 67-68.

An article with 4 photos on page 71 is about what will be at ARRL's 2009 National Convention (Dayton Hamvention), with a section about Richard Garriott.

Under "Happenings" on page 73 is a story with photo about Richard Garriott's activities in space.

The ARRL monthly journal has a circulation of 150,000.

4. ARRL Public Service Announcement

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has posted a new Public Service Announcement (PSA). It includes space footage. See: http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/2009FieldDayPSA1-2

5. ARISS Presentations at Dayton Hamvention

The Dayton Hamvention will be held at the Hara Arena Complex in Dayton, Ohio on May 15 - 17. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) will both support exhibit booths at the event.

Several Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) presentations will be given at the Dayton AMSAT Forum and the 2009 ARRL National Convention.

AMSAT VP-Member & User Services and SuitSat-2 Systems Engineer Gould Smith, WA4SXM will give a talk on "SuitSat-2 Status Report."

AMSAT VP-Human Space Flight Will Marchant, KC6ROL, will give a status on the ARISS program.

ARISS Hardware Manager Lou McFadin, W5DID, will give a talk on "Antennas for the Columbus Module."

Richard Garriott, W5WKQ, will speak at the AMSAT Forum about his ARISS activities while onboard the ISS. He will talk about his training, flight, and ham radio operations during the AMSAT Banquet. He will also speak at the ARRL National Convention.

The Dayton Hamvention is an internationally attended amateur radio convention that draws crowds of 25,000 annually. For more information on Dayton Hamvention 2009, go to: http://www.hamvention.org/

6. ARISS News in the ARRL Letter

On April 17, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran two Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) related items in its ARRL Letter. Under "Look for the May Issue of QST in Your Mailbox," is an item about the Richard Garriott story and how one can meet Richard in Dayton at the ARRL EXPO. A second entry, "Forum Schedule Announced for 2009 Dayton Hamvention," includes Richard Garriott's presentation. See: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/09/0417/