[sarex] 2012-05-14 ARISS Status

[Carol Jackson]

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report

May 14, 2012

 

 

 

 

1.            Farnsworth Contact Successful

 

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held
between youth at Farnsworth Aerospace PK-8 Magnet School in St. Paul,
Minnesota and on-orbit astronaut Don Pettit, KD5MDT on Monday, May 7.
Approximately 100 students as well as some school board members and local
dignitaries attended the event. The contact was simulcast throughout the
school for those classes not present. It was held to complement students'
studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Additionally, local hams assisting with the contact increased their club
membership from 30 to 50 members since agreeing to support the contact.
See: http://www.n9xh.org/ for photos leading up to and including the
contact.  Local media covered the event which even made the "Around the
Nation" section of USA Today for Minnesota. 

KARE 11 carried the news:

http://www.kare11.com/news/article/975550/396/St-Paul-students-talk-with-ast
ronaut-aboard-space-station

 

2.            AMSAT News Service on ARISS 

 

On May 13, the AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) News Service
bulletin (ANS-134) posted an item about the recruitment of ARISS mentors and
ground station operators. Mark Hammond, N8MH will give presentations at
Dayton Hamvention on Friday and Saturday, May 18 and 19, at 4pm in the ARRL
stage area. See: http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/2012/000618.html

 

3.            ARRL Covers New ISS Ham Crew

 

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) posted an article about the new crew
members headed to the ISS on May 14/15. The story, "Three Hams Venture to
ISS Next Week," may be found at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/three-hams-venture-to-iss-next-week

 

4.            Astronaut Training Status 

 

A preflight session is planned for Chris Hadfield, KC5RNJ/VA3OOG and Thomas
Marshburn, KE5HOC on May 14. Both are scheduled to fly with Expedition 34 in
November 2012.

Kevin Ford, KF5GPP is also scheduled for a preflight session on May 22. He
is slated to launch with the Expedition 33 crew in October 2012.