Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report January 23, 2012

1. Upcoming School Contact

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled for El Dorado County Office of Education in Placerville, California on Tuesday, January 24, at 18:12 UTC via telebridge station W6SRJ in California. The ARISS contact is part of a comprehensive education plan which will pique students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

2. Andre Kuipers Radios Belgian Students

On Wednesday, January 18, Vrije Technische Scholen (VTS), a technical and professional secondary school located in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with Andre Kuipers, PI9ISS. Kuipers fielded the students' questions about what it is like to live in space. The session underscored lessons covering electricity, mechanics, antennas and space. The event was covered by television and radio stations.

3. ARISS International Teleconference Held

The ARISS monthly teleconference was held on Tuesday, January 17. Topics of discussion included the ITU notification of ARISS frequencies, an update on the Columbus module and a status report on ARISSat-1. Minutes have been posted: http://ariss.rac.ca/arisstel2012-01-17.htm

4. ARISSat-1 Used to Interest Students in STEM

The amateur radio satellite ARISSat-1 was used by Polk County, Florida schools to interest students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). An estimated 800 students were exposed to the ARISSat-1 project from 4 Polk County elementary schools. Over 800 students attended career day presentations on the satellite in October 2010 and broadcast information on ARISSat on local school TV in October 2011. Nearly 50 students in the Sleepy Hill Elementary gifted program made several attempts to communicate with the satellite in September 2011, although unsuccessfully (more time, better equipment and experienced help were needed). Those students are currently participating in ham radio classes to prepare for their amateur radio technician class exams. ARISS volunteer Dave Jordan, AA4KN plans to follow up by giving a post-mission presentation on ARISSat in the near future.

5. ARRL QST Covers ARISS News

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) February 2012 QST coverage of ARISS items include the following:

In the "In Brief" column was a piece about how the ARISS Delegates and team members from all over the world met together in Houston for the ARISS Annual Meeting.

There was a 3-page article about how ham radio operator, Doug Cook, KD5PDN, set up a low-power inexpensive ham station and antenna with the aim of making ARISS contacts, and was successful. He cited getting useful information on the web from ARISS, NASA, AMSAT, ISS Fan Club, and from ARISS team member Clint Bradford. The article sported a beautiful NASA photo of the ISS in addition to photos showing aspects of his ham station and antennas.

6. AMSAT News Service Covers ARISS

The January 22 AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) News Service bulletin (ANS-022) included the following ARISS-related stories:

"NASA Launches STEM connector Website" "Winners in the ARISSat-1/KEDR Chicken Little Contest" "Winners of the ARISSat-1/KEDR Grab the Last Telemetry Contest"

All items may be found at: http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/2012/000586.html

7. Amateur Radio Newsline on ARISS

On January 20, Amateur Radio Newsline report #1797 noted the upcoming ARISS contact opportunities under the heading "Ham Radio in Space." "Plan Your Late 2012 ARISS Schoolroom Contact Now" may be viewed at: ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt