The ARISS program was created and is managed by an international consortium of amateur radio organizations and space agencies including National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the USA, Rosaviakosmos in Russia, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in Canada, Japan Aeronautics Exploration Space Agency (JAXA) in Japan and European Space Agency (ESA) in Europe. Read More
Upcoming ARISS Events
June 19, 2018
June 19, 2018
ARISS-Russia, in collaboration with the Southwest State University in Kursk, Russia, are developing a series of educational CubeSat satellites called Tanusha. Two Tanusha CubeSats were developed by students at Southwest State University and were hand-deployed by cosmonauts during an August 2017 extravehicular activity. These two CubeSats are performing cluster flight experiments through communications links. A second set of CubeSats, Tanusha 3 & 4 were launched earlier this year and are currently on-board ISS. Tanusha 3 & 4 are planned to be hand deployed by Cosmonauts in August. They will perform even more comprehensive cluster flight objectives than Tanusha 1 & 2.
On June 20, Tanusha 3 will be connected to one of the ARISS Service Module antennas and will transmit from 0730-1200 UTC on 437.05 MHz. These FM transmissions will include greetings from students in several languages, including Russian, English, Spanish and Chinese. On June 21, Tanusha 4 will be connected to one of the ARISS Service Module antennas and will transmit from 0730-1200 UTC on the same frequency: 437.05 MHz. The ARISS-Russia team plan to also retransmit these signals on the standard ARISS 2-meter downlink, 145.80 MHz using the JVC Kenwood D700 radio that is still on-board ISS. All are invited to listen to the CubeSats from ISS on 437.05 and/or 145.80 MHz.
The next SSTV image downlinks are planned for June 29-July 1. These images will commemorate the various satellites that the ARISS team has developed and hand-deployed from the ISS. These will include the first satellite deployment from ISS: SuitSat-1/Radioskaf-1 which was deployed in February 2006. More details on this will be forthcoming as the date draws near.
We thank ARISS-Russia delegate Sergey Samburov, RV3DR for this latest information.
73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
On June 20, Tanusha 3 will be connected to one of the ARISS Service Module antennas and will transmit from 0730-1200 UTC on 437.05 MHz. These FM transmissions will include greetings from students in several languages, including Russian, English, Spanish and Chinese. On June 21, Tanusha 4 will be connected to one of the ARISS Service Module antennas and will transmit from 0730-1200 UTC on the same frequency: 437.05 MHz. The ARISS-Russia team plan to also retransmit these signals on the standard ARISS 2-meter downlink, 145.80 MHz using the JVC Kenwood D700 radio that is still on-board ISS. All are invited to listen to the CubeSats from ISS on 437.05 and/or 145.80 MHz.
The next SSTV image downlinks are planned for June 29-July 1. These images will commemorate the various satellites that the ARISS team has developed and hand-deployed from the ISS. These will include the first satellite deployment from ISS: SuitSat-1/Radioskaf-1 which was deployed in February 2006. More details on this will be forthcoming as the date draws near.
We thank ARISS-Russia delegate Sergey Samburov, RV3DR for this latest information.
73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
International Space Station Astronauts are Calling
CQ ARISS Students!
ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018
March 15, 2018: ARISS is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30, 2019.
Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with learning opportunities about space technologies and communications and more through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program connects students to astronauts aboard the ISS through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio.
Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. A teacher wrote: “Our school’s ARISS events have only fueled the students’ thirst for more science and communications activities. Exciting stuff!”
ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students.
The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com
For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, go to:
http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html
ARISS One Step Closer to Flying New Equipment to ISS
October 2, 2017
On behalf of the ARISS International team, I am proud to announce that on Friday September 29th the ARISS team submitted the InterOperable Radio System (IORS) Safety Data Package to NASA for review! Our next step in this process is the Safety Review, which is planned for November 2.
Submitting this was a phenomenal accomplishment!! Particularly since the entire Safety Data Package was developed exclusively by our ARISS volunteers---something we have never done before. Prior to this submittal, all safety packages---from Owen Garriott’s in the early 1980s to today--were developed with contractors from NASA, ESA or Energia. And might I say at substantial expense. I am pleased that the ARISS team did it ourselves!
Why is this important? Two reasons:
1) This is a very major IORS milestone. We cannot get to orbit without successfully completing the safety review process and getting our hardware certified for flight.
2) Developing the safety package exclusively with volunteers is an innovative and gutsy approach to keep costs down and get the hardware flown sooner. Otherwise we probably would have to slip launch 1-2 years while we acquired additional funding to get this done.
NASA Human Spaceflight Safety Certification is a four-step process---Phase 0, Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3. The material we submitted covers the first three of the four phases. As part of Phases 0, 1 and 2, we need to make sure NASA understands our design. And we need to show NASA that we understand all the potential hazards that our hardware systems could introduce to ISS and how we have mitigated (or prevented) these hazards. One example is to demonstrate to NASA that our IORS was designed with electrical wiring and circuit breakers that possess adequate features and sufficient margin to prevent an electrical shock or fire on-board the ISS. Critically important stuff! The final phase (Phase 3) will be complete when we have completed all testing and NASA inspection of our flight hardware and NASA deems it flight worthy. At that point the IORS will be flight certificated and we can fly! Currently we are looking to March-May 2018 for flight readiness.
For those not following ARISS hardware development very closely, we are developing the IORS to replace most of the on-board radio hardware. It is called “interoperable” because it is being designed to be operated anywhere on ISS. But specifically, it will be used in the two areas with ISS Ham legacy antennas: the Columbus Module and the Russian Service Module. Interoperability allows us to leverage existing ISS power cables, it can be moved between modules in the event of on-orbit failures, and it supports common training and operations. The IORS is the most complex in-cabin hardware system we have ever designed, built, tested and flown as a volunteer team. We will remove the 3 watt Ericsson handheld radio system, initially certified for flight in 1999, and the Packet module--both of which have recently had issues—and install a brand-new, specially modified 25 watt JVC Kenwood D710GA radio to enable a multitude of new or improved capabilities on ISS, including voice repeater and better APRS operations. A key development is the Multi-Voltage Power Supply (MVPS), which interfaces with multiple electric outlet connection types on ISS and provides a multitude of power output capabilities for our current and future ARISS operations and amateur radio experimentation. It will also allow our Ham Video system to have a dedicated power outlet, eliminating the outlet sharing we have now, which shuts down Ham Video at times.
This effort would not be possible without the dedication and persistence of our IORS development team of volunteers. They have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to provide an outstanding amateur radio experience for all. Our IORS development team includes: Lou McFadin, W5DID, our Chief Engineer; Kerry Banke, N6IZW, the MVPS lead designer; Bob Davis, KF4KSS, the MVPS Mechanical enclosure designer; Ed Krome, K9EK, supporting IORS thermal control and cabin noise dissipation; Dave Taylor, W8AAS, our JVC Kenwood D-710 development liaison; Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, our APRS and D-710 operations expert; Shin Aota, JL1IBD, and Phil Parton, N4DRO for all their phenomenal support from JVC Kenwood; Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, our operations lead; and our safety package team—Ken Ernandes, N2WWD, and Gordon Scannell, KD8COJ. Kudos to all on a fantastic effort!
Designing, building and testing the IORS is a huge undertaking and *very* expensive. We need to build ten (10!) units to support flight hardware, flight spares, testing, and training across the international team. Hardware parts, development tools, fabrication, testing, and expenses to certify the IORS are expected to cost approximately $150,000. And the hard part (i.e. most expensive part) is just now starting. So please consider making a donation to ARISS to take our hardware system from dream to reality. You can donate to ARISS directly through the AMSAT web site at: http://www.ariss.org/donate.html. ALL donations go directly to ARISS.
Thank you for all your support to inspire, engage and educate our youth to consider wireless communications and amateur radio, and to pursue STEAM careers through our exciting human space exploration and amateur radio endeavor!
Ad Astra! To the Stars!
Sincerely,
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair and ISS Ham Radio Principal Investigator
CQ ARISS Students!
ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018
March 15, 2018: ARISS is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations (working individually or together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30, 2019.
Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with learning opportunities about space technologies and communications and more through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program connects students to astronauts aboard the ISS through a partnership between NASA, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies. The program’s goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio.
Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers. One educator wrote, “It exceeded our expectations--it created a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our kids are completely inspired!” Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. A teacher wrote: “Our school’s ARISS events have only fueled the students’ thirst for more science and communications activities. Exciting stuff!”
ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students.
The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered March 29, 2018, at 7 p.m. EDT and April 16, 2018, at 4 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is necessary. To sign up, go to https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2018.eventbrite.com
For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form, go to:
http://www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html
ARISS One Step Closer to Flying New Equipment to ISS
October 2, 2017
On behalf of the ARISS International team, I am proud to announce that on Friday September 29th the ARISS team submitted the InterOperable Radio System (IORS) Safety Data Package to NASA for review! Our next step in this process is the Safety Review, which is planned for November 2.
Submitting this was a phenomenal accomplishment!! Particularly since the entire Safety Data Package was developed exclusively by our ARISS volunteers---something we have never done before. Prior to this submittal, all safety packages---from Owen Garriott’s in the early 1980s to today--were developed with contractors from NASA, ESA or Energia. And might I say at substantial expense. I am pleased that the ARISS team did it ourselves!
Why is this important? Two reasons:
1) This is a very major IORS milestone. We cannot get to orbit without successfully completing the safety review process and getting our hardware certified for flight.
2) Developing the safety package exclusively with volunteers is an innovative and gutsy approach to keep costs down and get the hardware flown sooner. Otherwise we probably would have to slip launch 1-2 years while we acquired additional funding to get this done.
NASA Human Spaceflight Safety Certification is a four-step process---Phase 0, Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3. The material we submitted covers the first three of the four phases. As part of Phases 0, 1 and 2, we need to make sure NASA understands our design. And we need to show NASA that we understand all the potential hazards that our hardware systems could introduce to ISS and how we have mitigated (or prevented) these hazards. One example is to demonstrate to NASA that our IORS was designed with electrical wiring and circuit breakers that possess adequate features and sufficient margin to prevent an electrical shock or fire on-board the ISS. Critically important stuff! The final phase (Phase 3) will be complete when we have completed all testing and NASA inspection of our flight hardware and NASA deems it flight worthy. At that point the IORS will be flight certificated and we can fly! Currently we are looking to March-May 2018 for flight readiness.
For those not following ARISS hardware development very closely, we are developing the IORS to replace most of the on-board radio hardware. It is called “interoperable” because it is being designed to be operated anywhere on ISS. But specifically, it will be used in the two areas with ISS Ham legacy antennas: the Columbus Module and the Russian Service Module. Interoperability allows us to leverage existing ISS power cables, it can be moved between modules in the event of on-orbit failures, and it supports common training and operations. The IORS is the most complex in-cabin hardware system we have ever designed, built, tested and flown as a volunteer team. We will remove the 3 watt Ericsson handheld radio system, initially certified for flight in 1999, and the Packet module--both of which have recently had issues—and install a brand-new, specially modified 25 watt JVC Kenwood D710GA radio to enable a multitude of new or improved capabilities on ISS, including voice repeater and better APRS operations. A key development is the Multi-Voltage Power Supply (MVPS), which interfaces with multiple electric outlet connection types on ISS and provides a multitude of power output capabilities for our current and future ARISS operations and amateur radio experimentation. It will also allow our Ham Video system to have a dedicated power outlet, eliminating the outlet sharing we have now, which shuts down Ham Video at times.
This effort would not be possible without the dedication and persistence of our IORS development team of volunteers. They have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to provide an outstanding amateur radio experience for all. Our IORS development team includes: Lou McFadin, W5DID, our Chief Engineer; Kerry Banke, N6IZW, the MVPS lead designer; Bob Davis, KF4KSS, the MVPS Mechanical enclosure designer; Ed Krome, K9EK, supporting IORS thermal control and cabin noise dissipation; Dave Taylor, W8AAS, our JVC Kenwood D-710 development liaison; Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, our APRS and D-710 operations expert; Shin Aota, JL1IBD, and Phil Parton, N4DRO for all their phenomenal support from JVC Kenwood; Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, our operations lead; and our safety package team—Ken Ernandes, N2WWD, and Gordon Scannell, KD8COJ. Kudos to all on a fantastic effort!
Designing, building and testing the IORS is a huge undertaking and *very* expensive. We need to build ten (10!) units to support flight hardware, flight spares, testing, and training across the international team. Hardware parts, development tools, fabrication, testing, and expenses to certify the IORS are expected to cost approximately $150,000. And the hard part (i.e. most expensive part) is just now starting. So please consider making a donation to ARISS to take our hardware system from dream to reality. You can donate to ARISS directly through the AMSAT web site at: http://www.ariss.org/donate.html. ALL donations go directly to ARISS.
Thank you for all your support to inspire, engage and educate our youth to consider wireless communications and amateur radio, and to pursue STEAM careers through our exciting human space exploration and amateur radio endeavor!
Ad Astra! To the Stars!
Sincerely,
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair and ISS Ham Radio Principal Investigator
Packet Module Status
July 25, 2017
ARISS has received several reports stating that the packet system on ISS is down. Here is what we know and our current forward plan.
The packet system in the Columbus module started to act up late last week, sending only a beacon. The ARISS team requested a power recycle by the crew, and with that power recycle, the packet system appears to have stop functioning completely. Note that this unit has been on-orbit for 17 years. It was launched on the STS-106 Space Shuttle Atlantis mission in September 2000 and was built, tested and certified for flight about 20 years ago.
The ARISS team has had some extensive discussions on the way forward. We would first like to do some additional troubleshooting with the existing packet module. It will take some time (weeks) to develop troubleshooting procedures, get the procedures approved by NASA and then conduct the tests with the crew. This includes an additional power cycle. The turnaround time is much longer than usual because a new crew will soon be arriving on ISS. The current crew is focused on the new crew arrival and there will be about a one- to two-week transition after the new crew arrives. On the positive side, one aspect of our troubleshooting—a second power cycle—will occur automatically because ARISS is shut down during crew docking and turned on afterwards. However, there will be more to our troubleshooting than just the power cycle.
We have some additional plans with alternative solutions, but those are currently being discussed and prioritized within the ARISS team. All solutions will require international ARISS team coordination, additional procedures and crew interaction. People who have carefully followed ISS operations know that crew time continues to evolve with the more extensive research that is occurring on-board. Suffice it to say, it will take longer than what it has taken in the past to work through this issue.
The above information is to make sure that ARISS properly sets expectations on how long it will take to resolve this. At this point, expect a few months with no ARISS packet.
As you all can see, deploying the Interoperable Radio system that is currently under development by ARISS has become even more critically important. The ARISS team is laser focused on getting that system developed and deployed. We are conducting a final design review with NASA on this system next week. But we cannot get to the finish line without your help. If you can, please consider a donation to the ARISS radio fund by clicking on the ARISS donate button on the ARISS web page (www.ariss.org) or the AMSAT web page (www.amsat.org). All donations, large and small are appreciated.
On behalf of ARISS, we thank you for your sustained interest and support of our program.
Sincerely,
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
Next ARISS Contact: Tuskegee Airmen Youth in Aviation Program contact at the ISS R&D Conference July 20, 2017 at 13:23 UTC
An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at ISS R&D conference, Washington, D.C. on 20 July. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 13:23 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and W6SRJ. 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.
This ARISS contact will be conducted with Youth in Aviation Program students from the East Coast Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (ECCTAI) attending the ISS Research and Development conference as part of the conference’s STEM day. ECCTAI is one of the largest Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. chapters in United States and serves the Washington DC area. ECCTAI is dedicated to keeping alive the history, achievements, and importance of the original Tuskegee Airmen. The term, "Tuskegee Airmen," refers to the men and women, who were involved in the so-called "Tuskegee Experience", the World War II Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. ECCTAI strives to increase understanding of the “Tuskegee Experience” by honoring the accomplishments and perpetuating the history of the men and women who participated in the “Tuskegee Experience” and to introduce young people to the world of aviation and space through its Youth in Aviation Program (YIAP). YIAP motivates and inspires America’s youth to strive for similar excellence of these earlier pioneers, exposing them to aviation and space careers (Level I), attending FAA ground school (Level II) and receiving aircraft flight instruction or interning at an FAA certified A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) facility (Level III).
Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:
1. What is one piece of advice you would give to upcoming students who would
like a career in the astronautical field?
2. How would you describe adjusting to your new environment on the
International Space Station after leaving Earth?
3. Before you became an astronaut, what were you working on and what were you
pursuing from a career perspective?
4. What is one of the most important things you learned while at the Air
Force Academy?
5. What research are you currently conducting on the ISS and why do you think
it is important?
6. We understand the microgravity environment on ISS affects your eyesight.
Does it affect your ability to smell and taste?
7. What is your specific role aboard the International Space Station?
8. How do you prevent mistakes or major errors on what you've been working
on?
9. Now that you have the opportunity to see Earth as it is outside our
atmosphere, do you believe there is another planet that can support our
form of life on Earth?
10. During the 2.5 hours that astronauts exercise, what type of exercises are
included in the Integrated Resistance and Aerobic Training Study?
11. Are you living your dream? What’s next?
12. How did you know and at what age did you know you wanted to be an
astronaut?
13. With political tensions rising between countries on Earth, does this
affect your ability to work with the other countries aboard the ISS?
14. In your experience what was the scariest or most challenging thing to
happen while in space?
15. What did your do to prepare yourself for being in space, physically,
emotionally and mentally?
16. What would you say to anyone interested in joining the military, flying,
and going to space?
17. What will the International Space Station, especially your expedition, do
to prepare for the Commercial Crew Program?
18. On a scale of 1-5 (1 being the least stressful/most fun; 5 being the most
stressful/least fun), how would you rate your job?
19. What is the future for the International Space Station, and human
spaceflight in general?
20. What are some of the challenges you experienced because of prolonged
space flight?
21. You go through so much training for your journey. Is there one thing you
were not prepared for? If so what?
22. What is your daily work schedule like, and how many hours of sleep do you
get?
23. What are the pros and cons of being an astronaut?
24. What kind of training did you do before you were chosen for this ISS
expedition?
July 25, 2017
ARISS has received several reports stating that the packet system on ISS is down. Here is what we know and our current forward plan.
The packet system in the Columbus module started to act up late last week, sending only a beacon. The ARISS team requested a power recycle by the crew, and with that power recycle, the packet system appears to have stop functioning completely. Note that this unit has been on-orbit for 17 years. It was launched on the STS-106 Space Shuttle Atlantis mission in September 2000 and was built, tested and certified for flight about 20 years ago.
The ARISS team has had some extensive discussions on the way forward. We would first like to do some additional troubleshooting with the existing packet module. It will take some time (weeks) to develop troubleshooting procedures, get the procedures approved by NASA and then conduct the tests with the crew. This includes an additional power cycle. The turnaround time is much longer than usual because a new crew will soon be arriving on ISS. The current crew is focused on the new crew arrival and there will be about a one- to two-week transition after the new crew arrives. On the positive side, one aspect of our troubleshooting—a second power cycle—will occur automatically because ARISS is shut down during crew docking and turned on afterwards. However, there will be more to our troubleshooting than just the power cycle.
We have some additional plans with alternative solutions, but those are currently being discussed and prioritized within the ARISS team. All solutions will require international ARISS team coordination, additional procedures and crew interaction. People who have carefully followed ISS operations know that crew time continues to evolve with the more extensive research that is occurring on-board. Suffice it to say, it will take longer than what it has taken in the past to work through this issue.
The above information is to make sure that ARISS properly sets expectations on how long it will take to resolve this. At this point, expect a few months with no ARISS packet.
As you all can see, deploying the Interoperable Radio system that is currently under development by ARISS has become even more critically important. The ARISS team is laser focused on getting that system developed and deployed. We are conducting a final design review with NASA on this system next week. But we cannot get to the finish line without your help. If you can, please consider a donation to the ARISS radio fund by clicking on the ARISS donate button on the ARISS web page (www.ariss.org) or the AMSAT web page (www.amsat.org). All donations, large and small are appreciated.
On behalf of ARISS, we thank you for your sustained interest and support of our program.
Sincerely,
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
Next ARISS Contact: Tuskegee Airmen Youth in Aviation Program contact at the ISS R&D Conference July 20, 2017 at 13:23 UTC
An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at ISS R&D conference, Washington, D.C. on 20 July. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 13:23 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and W6SRJ. 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.
This ARISS contact will be conducted with Youth in Aviation Program students from the East Coast Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (ECCTAI) attending the ISS Research and Development conference as part of the conference’s STEM day. ECCTAI is one of the largest Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. chapters in United States and serves the Washington DC area. ECCTAI is dedicated to keeping alive the history, achievements, and importance of the original Tuskegee Airmen. The term, "Tuskegee Airmen," refers to the men and women, who were involved in the so-called "Tuskegee Experience", the World War II Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. ECCTAI strives to increase understanding of the “Tuskegee Experience” by honoring the accomplishments and perpetuating the history of the men and women who participated in the “Tuskegee Experience” and to introduce young people to the world of aviation and space through its Youth in Aviation Program (YIAP). YIAP motivates and inspires America’s youth to strive for similar excellence of these earlier pioneers, exposing them to aviation and space careers (Level I), attending FAA ground school (Level II) and receiving aircraft flight instruction or interning at an FAA certified A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) facility (Level III).
Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:
1. What is one piece of advice you would give to upcoming students who would
like a career in the astronautical field?
2. How would you describe adjusting to your new environment on the
International Space Station after leaving Earth?
3. Before you became an astronaut, what were you working on and what were you
pursuing from a career perspective?
4. What is one of the most important things you learned while at the Air
Force Academy?
5. What research are you currently conducting on the ISS and why do you think
it is important?
6. We understand the microgravity environment on ISS affects your eyesight.
Does it affect your ability to smell and taste?
7. What is your specific role aboard the International Space Station?
8. How do you prevent mistakes or major errors on what you've been working
on?
9. Now that you have the opportunity to see Earth as it is outside our
atmosphere, do you believe there is another planet that can support our
form of life on Earth?
10. During the 2.5 hours that astronauts exercise, what type of exercises are
included in the Integrated Resistance and Aerobic Training Study?
11. Are you living your dream? What’s next?
12. How did you know and at what age did you know you wanted to be an
astronaut?
13. With political tensions rising between countries on Earth, does this
affect your ability to work with the other countries aboard the ISS?
14. In your experience what was the scariest or most challenging thing to
happen while in space?
15. What did your do to prepare yourself for being in space, physically,
emotionally and mentally?
16. What would you say to anyone interested in joining the military, flying,
and going to space?
17. What will the International Space Station, especially your expedition, do
to prepare for the Commercial Crew Program?
18. On a scale of 1-5 (1 being the least stressful/most fun; 5 being the most
stressful/least fun), how would you rate your job?
19. What is the future for the International Space Station, and human
spaceflight in general?
20. What are some of the challenges you experienced because of prolonged
space flight?
21. You go through so much training for your journey. Is there one thing you
were not prepared for? If so what?
22. What is your daily work schedule like, and how many hours of sleep do you
get?
23. What are the pros and cons of being an astronaut?
24. What kind of training did you do before you were chosen for this ISS
expedition?
Recent Contacts
A telebridge contact with students from the Tuskegee Airmen Youth in Aviation Program at The International Space Station (ISS) Research and Development (R&D) Conference, Washington, D.C., was successful Thu 2017-07-20 13:23:10 UTC 56 deg.
A telebridge contact with students at Saint Joseph School, Ronkonkoma, NY was successful Mon 2017-05-22 12:35:43 UTC 87 deg. Read more
A telebridge contact with students at Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School, Rockwall, TX, was successful Mon 2017-05-15 15:28:09 UTC 71 deg. Read more
A telebridge contact with students at Ecole College Park School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, was successful Mon 2017-05-08 18:19:40 UTC 59 deg. Read more
A direct contact with students from Collège Georges Brassens, Saint-Venant, France, Collège René Cassin de Lillers, Lillers, France, and Lycée Polyvalent Anatole France, Lillers, France, was successful Fri 2017-05-05 09:58:56 UTC 39 deg. Read more
A direct contact with students at the 14th Elementary School Katerini, Greece, was successful Sat 2017-04-29 12:02:10 UTC 69 deg . Read more
A direct contact with students from Lycée Hélène Boucher, Thionville, France, was successful Thu 2017-04-27. Read more
A direct contact via W6SRJ with students at Brook Haven School in Sebastipol, CA, USA was successful Wed 2017-04-19 18:40:43 UTC 82 deg. Read more
A direct contact via F6KCO with students from College Roger Martin Du Gard, Bellême, France was successful Fri 2017-04-14 15:20:44 UTC 48 deg. Read more
A telebridge contact via LU1CGB with students from the Brahma Kumaris Educational Society, Rajasthan, India was unsuccessful Mon. 2017-04-03 08:19:38 UTC 53 deg. ARISS is rescheduling the contact. Read more
A direct contact with students at Tolyatti, Russia School was successful 2017-04-01 17:09 UTC with astronaut Sergey Ryzhikov. Read more
A telebridge contact via IK1SLD with individuals from the Council of State Science Supervisors, Los Angeles, CA, was successful Wed. 2017-03-29 18:03:38 UTC 21 deg. with Astronaut Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD. Read more
A telebridge contact via W6SRJ with students at “School of Trois Paletuviers”, Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock, French Guyana, was successful Thu 2017-03-23 12:42:26 UTC 61 deg. Read more
