An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Hochtaunusschule, Oberursel, D-61440, Germany on 25 Aug. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 08:19 UTC.

The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and LU8YY. 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.

The "Hochtaunusschule" is one of three schools in the district "Hochtaunuskreis" both providing general education and vocational training such as electrical engineering, metal engineering, mechanical engineering, information technology (IT), personal hygiene, agrarian economy, color technology, room (environmental) design. 500 of totally 1500 students aim at having access to university or passing a qualified exam to be prepared for professional training Two thirds of all students run through specific vocational training. Within the "dual system" of professional training, the "Hochtaunusschule" and industry share the joint task to qualify skilled personnel in the officially acknowledged training professions.

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

1. What were your personal motives to become an astronaut?

2. Which specific qualifications do you have in particular that you were the

one who was chosen for this entire project?

3. What steps of career do I have to focus on becoming an astronaut?

4. With which various operations are you employed?

5. Which various experts are on board? Which field of activity are you

responsible for?

6. How is the oxygen feeding technically secured?

7. What is the total weight of the ISS?

8. Would it be possible for us to see the ISS from earth only with naked

eye, without any technical equipment?

9. Is your circadian rhythm comparable to the one you have on earth?

10. Do you have any free time up there, and how do you personally use it?

11. What is your normal food on board? Would also gourmets like it?

12. How can we imagine going to the bathroom in zero gravity?

13. How do you keep yourselves and your clothes clean every day?

14. Do you generally have access to all media that we are used to?

15. How much do you get from the daily news on earth?

16. In which way do you constantly keep in touch with your family?

17. What does your personal daily workout consist of?

18. How many hours of practical training are required before a mission in

space starts?

19. How quick does your body adjust to the living conditions on earth after

your arrival?

20. What kind of consequences regarding your health do you have after the

long stay in weightlessness?

21. How is medical care organized? How can we imagine when you are injured

and a wound is bleeding?

22. Are you allowed to consume coffee or tea on the ISS?

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

Next planned event(s):

Vision Australia, Enfield, NSW, Australia,

Mon, 29 Aug 2011, 08:47 UTC

Merritt Island High School, Merritt Island, Florida,

Tue, 30 Aug 2011, 18:06 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