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ARISS lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the International Space Station, inspiring them to pursue interests in careers in science, technology, engineering and math, and engaging them with radio science technology through amateur radio. |
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
ARISS Slow Scan Television (SSTV) Update
Dec 22, 2022 - The ARISS SSTV capability is currently not operational. The SSTV card that interfaces with the ISS computer was damaged and cannot be reliably used. Also, ISS has recently switched to a new complement of laptops, which requires the ARISS Russia team to develop a new computer interface to support SSTV. ARISS Russia has been actively working this new development and is consulting with the ARISS International hardware/software team on these efforts. Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, ARISS Russia leader, has stated that they expect to complete the SSTV development effort early next year and launch the hardware on a future Progress flight later in the year. Until then, SSTV operations will be down.
The ARISS International team will keep all informed about SSTV status through our web site www.ariss.org and our social media outlets.
The ARISS International team will keep all informed about SSTV status through our web site www.ariss.org and our social media outlets.
Message to US Educators: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity
Call for Proposals - New Proposal Window is October 1, 2022 to November 13, 2022
Oct 3, 2022 — The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between July 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.
The deadline to submit a proposal is November 13, 2022.
Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at https://ariss-usa.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-usa/. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on October 13, 2022, at 8:00 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-fall-2022.eventbrite.com
The Opportunity
Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.
An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.
Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio.
Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education@gmail.com.
Oct 3, 2022 — The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between July 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.
The deadline to submit a proposal is November 13, 2022.
Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at https://ariss-usa.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-usa/. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on October 13, 2022, at 8:00 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-fall-2022.eventbrite.com
The Opportunity
Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.
An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.
Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio.
Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education@gmail.com.
Happy Launch Anniversary, ARISS Hardware Team!!
September 8, 2022--On September 8, 2000, 22 years ago today, the Space Shuttle Atlantis launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, starting the STS-106 Space Shuttle mission. On-board this mission was the ARISS Ericsson radio, a packet module/power supply and other hardware that became our first operational radio system on ISS. Just two months later, on November 13, 2000, the Expedition-1 crew installed this hardware system in the Zarya (FGB module) and operated it for the first time.
On behalf of the international ARISS team, I want to extend our heartiest of congratulations to all in the hardware team that made this radio system a reality!
73 (Best Wishes),
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
On behalf of the international ARISS team, I want to extend our heartiest of congratulations to all in the hardware team that made this radio system a reality!
73 (Best Wishes),
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
Simultaneous Operations of APRS and
Voice Repeater now a Reality on ISS
August 12, 2022—ARISS is pleased to announce that starting yesterday, August 11, simultaneous operations of the ARISS Voice Repeater and digital APRS communications on the International Space Station (ISS) is now a reality. Current ARISS operations include voice repeater transmissions with the JVC Kenwood D710GA in the Columbus module and APRS packet operation from an identical radio in the Service Module (Zvezda). Packet operations are on 145.825 MHz.
The ARISS Russia and USA teams have been working for several weeks to prepare the Service Module radio for APRS operations. ARISS Russia team member Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, led the effort, working with Russian mission controllers and the on-board ISS cosmonauts to configure the Service Module radio for APRS ops. On August 11, final checkouts were completed and the APRS packet mode was switched on for amateur radio use.
ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO states, “Simultaneous operation of APRS and the voice repeater on ISS is transformative for ARISS and represents a key element of our ARISS 2.0 initiative, providing a interactive capabilities 24/7 that inspire, engage and educate youth and lifelong learners—especially life-long learning in ham radio operations.” Bauer continues, “Our heartfelt thanks to Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, for making this crucial ARISS 2.0 initiative become a reality.”
The Columbus Module radio uses the callsign NA1SS and the new Service Module radio uses RS0ISS. Aside from the callsigns, the radios are identical and packet operations are the same as before. You can use RS0ISS, ARISS, or APRSAT as the packet path. Also, both radios are expected to be on full time, except during educational contacts, EVAs, and dockings or undockings.
You can find operational status and expected downtimes of the ISS radios at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.
The ARISS Russia and USA teams have been working for several weeks to prepare the Service Module radio for APRS operations. ARISS Russia team member Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, led the effort, working with Russian mission controllers and the on-board ISS cosmonauts to configure the Service Module radio for APRS ops. On August 11, final checkouts were completed and the APRS packet mode was switched on for amateur radio use.
ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO states, “Simultaneous operation of APRS and the voice repeater on ISS is transformative for ARISS and represents a key element of our ARISS 2.0 initiative, providing a interactive capabilities 24/7 that inspire, engage and educate youth and lifelong learners—especially life-long learning in ham radio operations.” Bauer continues, “Our heartfelt thanks to Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, for making this crucial ARISS 2.0 initiative become a reality.”
The Columbus Module radio uses the callsign NA1SS and the new Service Module radio uses RS0ISS. Aside from the callsigns, the radios are identical and packet operations are the same as before. You can use RS0ISS, ARISS, or APRSAT as the packet path. Also, both radios are expected to be on full time, except during educational contacts, EVAs, and dockings or undockings.
You can find operational status and expected downtimes of the ISS radios at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.
ARISS Offers More Fun to ARRL Field Day Operators
June 20, 2022—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) plans to have its ARISS InterOperable Radio System (IORS) in crossband repeater mode for ARRL Field Day. The IORS ham station is located in the Columbus Module of the International Space Station.
ARRL Hq has confirmed that successful radio contacts made through the ARISS IORS, in crossband repeater mode, will count for an ARRL Field Day QSO point, but also for Field Day bonus points! Another fun opportunity for points. Don’t forget the rule limiting stations to 1 QSO per any single channel FM satellite. On-orbit astronauts always have very busy schedules, but if a voice contact were to be made with them, it would count as a QSO credit but not for satellite bonus points. Only an ARISS crossband repeater QSO qualifies for the bonus. Crossband repeater contacts are also valid for AMSAT Field Day for satellite operations, held concurrently with the ARRL event.
Frequencies for ARISS crossband repeater operation are as follows: 145.990 MHz up, 67 Hz tone and 437.800 MHz down. If you haven’t used the ISS repeater yet, be sure to practice with it before Field Day (June 25 - 26, 2022). These contacts can be tricky, but hams can practice right now…can you do it?
ARRL Hq has confirmed that successful radio contacts made through the ARISS IORS, in crossband repeater mode, will count for an ARRL Field Day QSO point, but also for Field Day bonus points! Another fun opportunity for points. Don’t forget the rule limiting stations to 1 QSO per any single channel FM satellite. On-orbit astronauts always have very busy schedules, but if a voice contact were to be made with them, it would count as a QSO credit but not for satellite bonus points. Only an ARISS crossband repeater QSO qualifies for the bonus. Crossband repeater contacts are also valid for AMSAT Field Day for satellite operations, held concurrently with the ARRL event.
Frequencies for ARISS crossband repeater operation are as follows: 145.990 MHz up, 67 Hz tone and 437.800 MHz down. If you haven’t used the ISS repeater yet, be sure to practice with it before Field Day (June 25 - 26, 2022). These contacts can be tricky, but hams can practice right now…can you do it?
Quarter Century Wireless Association, Inc. (QCWA)
Provides Donation to Support ARISS
June 7, 2022: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, Inc. (ARISS-USA) is very pleased to announce that the Quarter Century Wireless Association, Inc. (QCWA) has made a highly notable contribution--$4,500—to support the ARISS program. QCWA President Ken Oelke (amateur radio call sign VE6AFO) presented the generous gift to ARISS-USA at the 2022 Hamvention in Xenia, OH, during the ARISS Forum. ARISS is the acronym for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station.
Ken hopes the funding will catalyze individuals and other groups around the globe to follow suit and contribute to ARISS. He commented: “I had asked Rosalie White (amateur radio call sign K1STO), the ARISS-US Delegate for ARRL, about new initiatives ARISS may have and learned of new education programs set into motion and about ARISS’s enhancements being developed for its amateur radio station on the International Space Station (ISS). Those things are in addition to the ARISS team’s daily operating activities—ARISS educational radio contacts for schools and education groups with astronauts orbiting on the ISS. I believe ARISS provides a great opportunity to the QCWA to stand out in the Amateur Radio Community, and to carry out QCWA’s education mandate described in its constitution.”
In late 2020, Astronaut Chris Cassidy (amateur radio call sign KF5KDR) installed ARISS’s new radio system on the ISS. Crew members with ham radio licenses began using it for scheduled ARISS education radio contacts. In addition to supporting these student interviews, the radio system allows amateur radio operators to engage with the ISS using Automated Packet Reporting System (APRS), making cross band repeater contacts, and downloading special slow-scan TV (SSTV) images downlinked by cosmonauts.
ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer (amateur radio call sign KA3HDO) thanked QCWA members for their tremendous support, stating: “This funding will help propel forward some of the ARISS educational activities that were recently put in motion. Also, the gift will spur on the ARISS team working on radio system enhancements.” He noted: “It is fantastic to see amateur radio groups such as QCWA generously offering a gift to ARISS. It shows potential future ARISS benefactors, foundations and corporations that the amateur radio community believes in ARISS and wants to further ARISS’s goals.”
Rosalie thanked Ken for the QCWA Board of Directors and members standing with ARISS, and said: “The entire ARISS team conveys its deep appreciation for this exceptional generosity! We hope your members are enjoying ARISS packet and cross band repeater contacts and ARISS SSTV sessions while knowing countless students are engaged in science and technology activities tied to space and radio.”
Individuals and groups wanting to help ARISS can go to https://www.ariss.org/annual-fund.html, and in many cases, gifts are tax deductible donations. Donors giving $100 or more are awarded a beautiful ARISS Challenge Coin.
Ken hopes the funding will catalyze individuals and other groups around the globe to follow suit and contribute to ARISS. He commented: “I had asked Rosalie White (amateur radio call sign K1STO), the ARISS-US Delegate for ARRL, about new initiatives ARISS may have and learned of new education programs set into motion and about ARISS’s enhancements being developed for its amateur radio station on the International Space Station (ISS). Those things are in addition to the ARISS team’s daily operating activities—ARISS educational radio contacts for schools and education groups with astronauts orbiting on the ISS. I believe ARISS provides a great opportunity to the QCWA to stand out in the Amateur Radio Community, and to carry out QCWA’s education mandate described in its constitution.”
In late 2020, Astronaut Chris Cassidy (amateur radio call sign KF5KDR) installed ARISS’s new radio system on the ISS. Crew members with ham radio licenses began using it for scheduled ARISS education radio contacts. In addition to supporting these student interviews, the radio system allows amateur radio operators to engage with the ISS using Automated Packet Reporting System (APRS), making cross band repeater contacts, and downloading special slow-scan TV (SSTV) images downlinked by cosmonauts.
ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer (amateur radio call sign KA3HDO) thanked QCWA members for their tremendous support, stating: “This funding will help propel forward some of the ARISS educational activities that were recently put in motion. Also, the gift will spur on the ARISS team working on radio system enhancements.” He noted: “It is fantastic to see amateur radio groups such as QCWA generously offering a gift to ARISS. It shows potential future ARISS benefactors, foundations and corporations that the amateur radio community believes in ARISS and wants to further ARISS’s goals.”
Rosalie thanked Ken for the QCWA Board of Directors and members standing with ARISS, and said: “The entire ARISS team conveys its deep appreciation for this exceptional generosity! We hope your members are enjoying ARISS packet and cross band repeater contacts and ARISS SSTV sessions while knowing countless students are engaged in science and technology activities tied to space and radio.”
Individuals and groups wanting to help ARISS can go to https://www.ariss.org/annual-fund.html, and in many cases, gifts are tax deductible donations. Donors giving $100 or more are awarded a beautiful ARISS Challenge Coin.
9 US Schools Moved Forward in ARISS Selection Process
May 13, 2022: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the schools/host organizations selected for the January-June 2023 window. A total of 9 of the submitted proposals during the recent proposal window have been accepted to move forward in the processes of planning to host a scheduled amateur radio contact with crew on the ISS. The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) activities and raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities.
The ARISS program anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for the 9 US host organizations during the January-June 2023 time period. They are now at work completing an acceptable equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS Technical Mentors, the final selected schools/organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities offered by NASA.
The schools and host organizations are:
The ARISS program anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for the 9 US host organizations during the January-June 2023 time period. They are now at work completing an acceptable equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS Technical Mentors, the final selected schools/organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities offered by NASA.
The schools and host organizations are:
ARISS SSTV Event Scheduled for April 11 - 13
April 9, 2022— An ARISS Slow Scan TV (SSTV) event is scheduled from the International Space Station (ISS). The event is slated to begin on April 11 at 16:30 UTC for setup and operation and continue until April 13 ending at 12:00 UTC. These times are tentative and are subject to change due to crew availability.
Images will be downlinked at 145.8 MHz +/- 3 KHz for Doppler shift and the expected SSTV mode of operation is PD 120. The theme for this event will be celebrating Cosmonautics Day and Women in Space. Radio enthusiasts participating in the event can post and view images on the ARISS SSTV Gallery at https://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/ .
Images will be downlinked at 145.8 MHz +/- 3 KHz for Doppler shift and the expected SSTV mode of operation is PD 120. The theme for this event will be celebrating Cosmonautics Day and Women in Space. Radio enthusiasts participating in the event can post and view images on the ARISS SSTV Gallery at https://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/ .
Kerry Banke to be honored with the 2022 Hamvention Special Achievement Award

The Hamvention awards committee recently announced that Kerry Banke, N6IZW, has won the 2022 Hamvention Special Achievement Award for his efforts in the design, development, manufacturing, and human spaceflight certification of the ARISS Multi-Voltage Power Supply (MVPS). The MVPS is a foundational element of the ARISS next generation radio system, which is now on-orbit. The Hamvention Special Achievement Award is given each year to a deserving amateur that has made an
outstanding contribution advancing the art and/or science.
Now retired, Banke spent most of his career in the research and development of electronics systems as a microwave RF (Radio Frequency) electrical engineer. This included 14 years as Qualcomm engineer, developing innovative microwave wireless technologies. Kerry’s electronic interests span DC (Direct Current) to light with particular interest and expertise in microwaves. His ham radio operations have included transmissions on 136 kHz through Laser. Since 1982 he has served as host of the San Diego Microwave Group’s monthly meeting, sharing his expertise with other hams of like interest.
Mr. Banke’s exceptional support to Human Spaceflight Amateur Radio began in 1994 where he served as a school technical mentor and certified ground station for the Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) program. When NASA transitioned from the Shuttle to the International Space Station (ISS), Kerry became an exemplary member of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) hardware team. For seven years, working from his home and electronics lab garage in La Mesa, California, Mr. Banke led the circuit design, breadboarding, flight circuit board layout, assembly, and testing of the MVPS. The MVPS, which occupies a volume roughly the size of two stacked reams of paper, can connect into different ISS power sources (120 VDC and 28 VDC) and simultaneously power up to 18 devices with multiple voltage level input needs.
ARISS USA Executive Director, Frank Bauer, said “The ARISS team is proud of Kerry’s sustained exemplary support to ARISS. His contributions to our next generation radio system are transformative, enabling expanded ARISS operations for ham radio operators and enhanced STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education outcomes for youth.” Through this system 60 to 80 foreign and domestic ARISS school contacts are conducted each year with 150,000 to 200,000 students, teachers, and members of the public engaged. Amateur radio operators also enjoy over 100,000 digital and voice
repeater connections from this radio system each year.
outstanding contribution advancing the art and/or science.
Now retired, Banke spent most of his career in the research and development of electronics systems as a microwave RF (Radio Frequency) electrical engineer. This included 14 years as Qualcomm engineer, developing innovative microwave wireless technologies. Kerry’s electronic interests span DC (Direct Current) to light with particular interest and expertise in microwaves. His ham radio operations have included transmissions on 136 kHz through Laser. Since 1982 he has served as host of the San Diego Microwave Group’s monthly meeting, sharing his expertise with other hams of like interest.
Mr. Banke’s exceptional support to Human Spaceflight Amateur Radio began in 1994 where he served as a school technical mentor and certified ground station for the Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) program. When NASA transitioned from the Shuttle to the International Space Station (ISS), Kerry became an exemplary member of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) hardware team. For seven years, working from his home and electronics lab garage in La Mesa, California, Mr. Banke led the circuit design, breadboarding, flight circuit board layout, assembly, and testing of the MVPS. The MVPS, which occupies a volume roughly the size of two stacked reams of paper, can connect into different ISS power sources (120 VDC and 28 VDC) and simultaneously power up to 18 devices with multiple voltage level input needs.
ARISS USA Executive Director, Frank Bauer, said “The ARISS team is proud of Kerry’s sustained exemplary support to ARISS. His contributions to our next generation radio system are transformative, enabling expanded ARISS operations for ham radio operators and enhanced STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education outcomes for youth.” Through this system 60 to 80 foreign and domestic ARISS school contacts are conducted each year with 150,000 to 200,000 students, teachers, and members of the public engaged. Amateur radio operators also enjoy over 100,000 digital and voice
repeater connections from this radio system each year.
ARISS to Support Axiom Space Crew Members
on First Private ISS Mission
March 3, 2022— Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, Inc. (ARISS-USA) is pleased to announce that two crew members scheduled to fly on Axiom Mission-1 (Ax-1), the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, will utilize the ARISS on-board radio resources to conduct six school connections via amateur radio.
These ARISS school contacts will be conducted with Ax-1 crew members Mark Pathy, from Canada, and Eytan Stibbe, from Israel. Both Pathy and Stibbe are fully trained on the use of the ARISS radio system, located in the ISS Columbus module, and have studied and passed their amateur radio license exams. Mark Pathy’s amateur radio callsign is KO4WFH. Eytan Stibbe’s amateur radio callsign is 4Z9SPC.
As part of the "Rakia" mission, Eytan Stibbe will use ARISS facilities aboard the International Space Station to hold talks with middle school and high school students in Israel while the ISS will be above Israel. A total of 40 school classes are expected to participate in the project, and in the weeks preceding the launch, the students from Israel will participate in theoretical and practical sessions to learn about radio-based communication.
Mark Pathy, under the personal mission theme of 'Caring for people and the planet', will connect with elementary and high schools across Canada while on board the ISS. Pathy will be answering questions developed by the students, ranging from how his body has reacted to being in space to how to do everyday things in zero gravity and thoughtful questions around the state of our planet. The conversations are part of Pathy’s educational program through which schools also benefit from STEM content and mentorship.
“The long-held dream of private missions to stations in space becomes a reality on Ax-1. ARISS is proud to collaborate with Axiom Space, Mark Pathy, and Eytan Stibbe on this flight and support the Ax-1 crew members through amateur radio contacts that will inspire, engage and educate school students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) topics,” said Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, Executive Director of ARISS-USA and Chair of ARISS International.
“Axiom is proud to help enable the educational work of ARISS-USA on this historic mission,” said Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Executive Vice President of Government Operations and Strategic Communications for Axiom Space. “For years, ARISS and its programs have inspired students across the globe to pursue interests in science, technology, engineering and math, and we are pleased that Ax-1 will join the list of missions that have contributed to this important educational work.”
The Ax-1 mission includes an international crew of four with Axiom’s Michael Lopez-Alegria, former NASA astronaut and Axiom VP, serving as commander. The Ax-1 mission is currently scheduled to launch on March 30, 2022.
These ARISS school contacts will be conducted with Ax-1 crew members Mark Pathy, from Canada, and Eytan Stibbe, from Israel. Both Pathy and Stibbe are fully trained on the use of the ARISS radio system, located in the ISS Columbus module, and have studied and passed their amateur radio license exams. Mark Pathy’s amateur radio callsign is KO4WFH. Eytan Stibbe’s amateur radio callsign is 4Z9SPC.
As part of the "Rakia" mission, Eytan Stibbe will use ARISS facilities aboard the International Space Station to hold talks with middle school and high school students in Israel while the ISS will be above Israel. A total of 40 school classes are expected to participate in the project, and in the weeks preceding the launch, the students from Israel will participate in theoretical and practical sessions to learn about radio-based communication.
Mark Pathy, under the personal mission theme of 'Caring for people and the planet', will connect with elementary and high schools across Canada while on board the ISS. Pathy will be answering questions developed by the students, ranging from how his body has reacted to being in space to how to do everyday things in zero gravity and thoughtful questions around the state of our planet. The conversations are part of Pathy’s educational program through which schools also benefit from STEM content and mentorship.
“The long-held dream of private missions to stations in space becomes a reality on Ax-1. ARISS is proud to collaborate with Axiom Space, Mark Pathy, and Eytan Stibbe on this flight and support the Ax-1 crew members through amateur radio contacts that will inspire, engage and educate school students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) topics,” said Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, Executive Director of ARISS-USA and Chair of ARISS International.
“Axiom is proud to help enable the educational work of ARISS-USA on this historic mission,” said Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, Executive Vice President of Government Operations and Strategic Communications for Axiom Space. “For years, ARISS and its programs have inspired students across the globe to pursue interests in science, technology, engineering and math, and we are pleased that Ax-1 will join the list of missions that have contributed to this important educational work.”
The Ax-1 mission includes an international crew of four with Axiom’s Michael Lopez-Alegria, former NASA astronaut and Axiom VP, serving as commander. The Ax-1 mission is currently scheduled to launch on March 30, 2022.
Message to US Educators: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity
Call for Proposals
New Proposal Window is February 21, 2022 to March 31, 2022
February 16, 2022 — The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2023 and June 30, 2023. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.
The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31, 2022
Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at https://ariss-usa.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-usa/. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on March 3, 2022, at 8:30 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2022.eventbrite.com
The Opportunity
Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.
An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.
Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio.
Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education@gmail.com .
New Proposal Window is February 21, 2022 to March 31, 2022
February 16, 2022 — The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2023 and June 30, 2023. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.
The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31, 2022
Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at https://ariss-usa.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-usa/. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on March 3, 2022, at 8:30 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2022.eventbrite.com
The Opportunity
Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.
An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.
Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio.
Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education@gmail.com .
ARISS Europe to Perform Special Digital SSTV Experiment
February 16, 2022—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is planning for a special SSTV experiment. ARISS is the group that puts together special amateur radio contacts between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses on the International Space Station (ISS) and develops and operates the amateur radio equipment on ISS.
As part of its ARISS 2.0 initiative, the ARISS International team is expanding its educational and life-long learning opportunities for youth and ham radio operators around the world. ARISS Slow Scan Television (SSTV), which is the transmission of images from ISS using amateur radio, is a very popular ARISS mode of operation. To expand ARISS SSTV capabilities, the ARISS Europe and ARISS USA teams plan to perform special SSTV Experiments using a new SSTV digital coding scheme. For the signal reception, the software "KG-STV" is required, as available on internet.
We kindly request that the amateur radio community refrain from the use of the voice repeater thin this SSTV experiment on 20th of February 2022 over Europe.
This is a unique and official ARISS experiment. We kindly request keeping the voice repeater uplink free from other voice transmissions during the experiment time period. Also note that ARISS is temporarily employing the voice repeater to expedite these experiments and make a more permanent, more expansive SSTV capability fully operational on other downlink frequencies.
The first experiment in the series will utilize ARISS approved ground stations in Europe that will transmit these digital SSTV signals. These will be available for all in the ISS footprint when SSTV transmissions occur. The first SSTV experiment is planned for 20 February 2022 between 05:10 UTC and 12:00 UTC for five ISS passes over Europe. Please be aware that this event depends on ARISS IORS radio availabilities and ISS crew support, so last-minute changes may occur.
To promote quick experimental SSTV investigations—to learn and improve--the ARISS team will employ the ISS Kenwood radio in its cross-band repeater mode. The crossband repeater operates on a downlink of 437.800 MHz. Each transmission sequence will consist of 1:40 minute transmission, followed by 1:20 minute pause and will be repeated several times within an ISS pass over Europe.
The used modulation is MSK w/o error correction. For the decoding of the 320 x 240 px image, the software KG-STV is required. The KG-STV software can be downloaded from the following link: "http://amsat-nl.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/kgstv_ISS.zip"
The ZIP file contains the KG-STV program, an installation and setup manual, some images and MP3 audio samples for your first tests as well as links for additional technical information about the KG-STV use.
The members of the ham radio community youth and the public are invited to receive and decode these special SSTV signals.
Experiment reports are welcome and should be uploaded to "sstvtest@amsat-on.be"
More information will be available on the AMSAT-NL.org web page: "https://amsat-nl.org/?page_id=568"
(for the team: Oliver Amend, DG6BCE)
-----
As part of its ARISS 2.0 initiative, the ARISS International team is expanding its educational and life-long learning opportunities for youth and ham radio operators around the world. ARISS Slow Scan Television (SSTV), which is the transmission of images from ISS using amateur radio, is a very popular ARISS mode of operation. To expand ARISS SSTV capabilities, the ARISS Europe and ARISS USA teams plan to perform special SSTV Experiments using a new SSTV digital coding scheme. For the signal reception, the software "KG-STV" is required, as available on internet.
We kindly request that the amateur radio community refrain from the use of the voice repeater thin this SSTV experiment on 20th of February 2022 over Europe.
This is a unique and official ARISS experiment. We kindly request keeping the voice repeater uplink free from other voice transmissions during the experiment time period. Also note that ARISS is temporarily employing the voice repeater to expedite these experiments and make a more permanent, more expansive SSTV capability fully operational on other downlink frequencies.
The first experiment in the series will utilize ARISS approved ground stations in Europe that will transmit these digital SSTV signals. These will be available for all in the ISS footprint when SSTV transmissions occur. The first SSTV experiment is planned for 20 February 2022 between 05:10 UTC and 12:00 UTC for five ISS passes over Europe. Please be aware that this event depends on ARISS IORS radio availabilities and ISS crew support, so last-minute changes may occur.
To promote quick experimental SSTV investigations—to learn and improve--the ARISS team will employ the ISS Kenwood radio in its cross-band repeater mode. The crossband repeater operates on a downlink of 437.800 MHz. Each transmission sequence will consist of 1:40 minute transmission, followed by 1:20 minute pause and will be repeated several times within an ISS pass over Europe.
The used modulation is MSK w/o error correction. For the decoding of the 320 x 240 px image, the software KG-STV is required. The KG-STV software can be downloaded from the following link: "http://amsat-nl.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/kgstv_ISS.zip"
The ZIP file contains the KG-STV program, an installation and setup manual, some images and MP3 audio samples for your first tests as well as links for additional technical information about the KG-STV use.
The members of the ham radio community youth and the public are invited to receive and decode these special SSTV signals.
Experiment reports are welcome and should be uploaded to "sstvtest@amsat-on.be"
More information will be available on the AMSAT-NL.org web page: "https://amsat-nl.org/?page_id=568"
(for the team: Oliver Amend, DG6BCE)
-----
APRS Inventor and Architect of ARISS Kenwood Radio Crew Interface, Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, Passes Away
The ARISS international team mourns the loss of Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, a genius who pioneered digital amateur radio techniques, invented the APRS digital signal protocol and designed the innovative ARISS Kenwood Radio Crew Interface. Bob passed away on February 7, 2022 after a fearless 2-year battle with cancer and, in the end, succumbing to COVID-19.
Bob’s brilliance permeated all through the amateur radio community, primarily via his invention of APRS, the Automatic Packet Reporting System. In Bob’s words, APRS is a “two-way tactical real-time digital communications system between all assets in a network sharing information about everything going on in the local area.” In APRS' nascent days, Bob joyfully shared, in real-time through APRS, the annual midshipmen 230 mile “running of the football” from the US Naval Academy to the Army-Navy game football stadium. With the help of his Naval Academy students, Bob developed several innovative, low-cost amateur radio satellites that continue to be employed by hams worldwide. He promoted the development of a network of APRS satellites in low Earth orbit on a shared frequency—145.825 MHz—and he was proud that the ARISS radio station was part of that network. A replica of his first student satellite development, PCSAT/NO-44, is displayed at the Udvar-Hazy National Air and Space Museum in Northern Virginia, USA.
Bob’s contributions and creativity in Human Spaceflight Amateur Radio are many—spanning nearly forty years. In early 1985, prior to Astronaut Ron Parise, WA4SIR's, planned flight on STS-51E in March 1986 (which was delayed after the Challenger accident), Bob worked with an AMSAT team to develop protocols and software for rapid message exchange via a packet “Robot.” In Bob, WB4APR’s own words, these “discussions helped firm up ideas on how APRS could be used not only as positioning tool, but also as a communication capability allowing rapid status and message reporting. Thus, allowing lots of people to rapidly make exchanges during a brief satellite pass.” The packet robot was used heavily in our SAREX (Shuttle) program, starting with Ron's STS-35 flight in December 1990. APRS remains a key staple in our ARISS on-board systems.
In the early 2000s, when ARISS was developing its second-generation radio system, Bob became the chief architect of the ARISS Kenwood D-700 radio program modes (see above photo). Our chief requirement was to make the crew interface simple and easy to switch between operations modes. Bob distilled our requirements into an elegant crew interface with five program modes, to support school contacts, voice repeater, APRS/data relay, experimental operations and backup communications. Bob's program mode crew interface is also embedded in our Next Generation InterOperable Radio System that employs the Kenwood D-710 GA radio system. Each time you use the ARISS radio system in any of its operations modes, you can thank Bob’s brilliance for making it happen.
On behalf of the ARISS International Team, I would like to convey our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Bob’s wife, family and his many friends. Bob, we thank you for your unquenching drive to innovate radio communications and your pioneering spirit that transformed your brilliant ideas from a dream to reality. Because of you, your APRS signals continually serve as an amateur radio beacon of inspiration, hope and peace throughout the infinite universe.
73,
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
ARISS-USA Executive Director
Eight US Schools Moved Forward in
ARISS Selection Process
January 11, 2022: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the schools/host organizations selected for the July 1 through December 31, 2022, time period. A total of eight of the submitted proposals during the recent proposal window have been accepted to move forward in the processes of planning to host a scheduled amateur radio contact with crew on the ISS. The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) activities and raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities.
The ARISS program anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for the eight US host organizations during the July 1 through December 31, 2022, time period. They are now at work completing an acceptable equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS Technical Mentors, the final selected schools/organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities offered by NASA.
The schools and host organizations are:
The ARISS program anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for the eight US host organizations during the July 1 through December 31, 2022, time period. They are now at work completing an acceptable equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS Technical Mentors, the final selected schools/organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities offered by NASA.
The schools and host organizations are:
The ARRL Foundation Grants an Award
for the ARISS *STAR* Keith Pugh Memoriam Project
January 5, 2022
ARISS‐USA is known for engaging students in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) subjects by arranging live question-and-answer sessions via amateur radio (ham radio) between K‐12 students and astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). In the last two decades, over 1,400 contacts have connected more than one million youth using amateur radio, with millions more watching and learning. ARISS is constantly pursuing educational opportunities that inspire student interest and outcomes.
ARISS-USA is pleased to announce that the ARRL Foundation awarded funding for the first year of a two-year project called the “ARISS *STAR* Keith Pugh Memoriam Project” with *STAR* being the acronym for Space Telerobotics using Amateur Radio. The ARRL Foundation very generously provided $47,533. The project honors the memory of highly-respected Keith Pugh, whose call sign was W5IU (Silent Key, May 2019). He was an expert supporter of ARISS for many years, a star ARISS Technical Mentor assisting schools with their ARISS contacts, finding educators who might be interested in learning about ARISS, and going to schools to lead youth in a variety of lessons about wireless radio technology.
ARISS *STAR* (short for ARISS *STAR* Keith Pugh Memoriam Project), is a brand-new education program that will enable US junior high and high school education groups to remotely control robots through digital APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) commands using amateur radio. Year 1 focuses on systems development and initial validation of *ARISS* STAR, and Year 2 focuses on evaluation and final validation. Systems development and evaluation will be led by university staff and students who will undertake hands-on-wireless and telerobotics lesson development, learn about Amateur Radio, and support the development of the *STAR* engineering hardware and software. Next, youth teams will be selected to experiment and critique *STAR* telerobotics scenarios along closed courses and radio lessons. Some participating students will want to prepare for, and earn, their amateur radio licenses, using ham radio to learn and practice concepts in radio technology and radio communications.
Overarching goals for *STAR* are to improve and sustain ARISS STEAM educational outcomes with youth. Robotics is gaining popularity among youth and adults alike. Telerobotics adds a wireless accent to robotic control. *STAR*, therefore, gives ARISS a new educational dimension to attract the attention of more education groups and their students and educators—outreach that promises to attract new audiences.
The ARRL Foundation was established in 1973 by ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio ®, and advances the art, science and societal benefits of the Amateur Radio Service by awarding financial grants and scholarships to individuals and organizations in support of their charitable, educational and scientific efforts. ARISS-USA Executive Director Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, praised the ARRL Foundation, saying, “ARISS team member, Keith Pugh, W5IU, poured his energy into inspiring, engaging and educating youth in space and in amateur radio endeavors. What a better way to honor Keith than through the ARISS *STAR* initiative. We thank the ARRL Foundation for their vision to move this initiative forward. Maybe someday one of our ARISS *STAR* students will use their telerobotics skills to control scientific rovers on the Moon or Mars!”
About ARISS:
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the ISS National Lab‐Space Station Explorers, and NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program (NASA SCaN). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands‐on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss-usa.org, www.ariss.org.
ARISS‐USA is known for engaging students in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) subjects by arranging live question-and-answer sessions via amateur radio (ham radio) between K‐12 students and astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). In the last two decades, over 1,400 contacts have connected more than one million youth using amateur radio, with millions more watching and learning. ARISS is constantly pursuing educational opportunities that inspire student interest and outcomes.
ARISS-USA is pleased to announce that the ARRL Foundation awarded funding for the first year of a two-year project called the “ARISS *STAR* Keith Pugh Memoriam Project” with *STAR* being the acronym for Space Telerobotics using Amateur Radio. The ARRL Foundation very generously provided $47,533. The project honors the memory of highly-respected Keith Pugh, whose call sign was W5IU (Silent Key, May 2019). He was an expert supporter of ARISS for many years, a star ARISS Technical Mentor assisting schools with their ARISS contacts, finding educators who might be interested in learning about ARISS, and going to schools to lead youth in a variety of lessons about wireless radio technology.
ARISS *STAR* (short for ARISS *STAR* Keith Pugh Memoriam Project), is a brand-new education program that will enable US junior high and high school education groups to remotely control robots through digital APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) commands using amateur radio. Year 1 focuses on systems development and initial validation of *ARISS* STAR, and Year 2 focuses on evaluation and final validation. Systems development and evaluation will be led by university staff and students who will undertake hands-on-wireless and telerobotics lesson development, learn about Amateur Radio, and support the development of the *STAR* engineering hardware and software. Next, youth teams will be selected to experiment and critique *STAR* telerobotics scenarios along closed courses and radio lessons. Some participating students will want to prepare for, and earn, their amateur radio licenses, using ham radio to learn and practice concepts in radio technology and radio communications.
Overarching goals for *STAR* are to improve and sustain ARISS STEAM educational outcomes with youth. Robotics is gaining popularity among youth and adults alike. Telerobotics adds a wireless accent to robotic control. *STAR*, therefore, gives ARISS a new educational dimension to attract the attention of more education groups and their students and educators—outreach that promises to attract new audiences.
The ARRL Foundation was established in 1973 by ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio ®, and advances the art, science and societal benefits of the Amateur Radio Service by awarding financial grants and scholarships to individuals and organizations in support of their charitable, educational and scientific efforts. ARISS-USA Executive Director Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, praised the ARRL Foundation, saying, “ARISS team member, Keith Pugh, W5IU, poured his energy into inspiring, engaging and educating youth in space and in amateur radio endeavors. What a better way to honor Keith than through the ARISS *STAR* initiative. We thank the ARRL Foundation for their vision to move this initiative forward. Maybe someday one of our ARISS *STAR* students will use their telerobotics skills to control scientific rovers on the Moon or Mars!”
About ARISS:
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the ISS National Lab‐Space Station Explorers, and NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program (NASA SCaN). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands‐on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss-usa.org, www.ariss.org.
ARISS SSTV Event Scheduled for Dec 26
December 21, 2021— An ARISS Slow Scan TV (SSTV) event is scheduled from the International Space Station (ISS). The event is slated to begin on December 26 at 18:25 UTC for setup and operation and continue until December 31 ending at 17:05 UTC. Dates and times subject to change due to ISS operational adjustments.
Images will be downlinked at 145.8 MHz +/- 3 KHz for Doppler shift and the expected SSTV mode of operation is PD 120. The main theme will be for this event will be lunar exploration. Radio enthusiasts participating in the event can post and view images on the ARISS SSTV Gallery at https://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/ .
After your image is posted at the gallery, you can acquire a special award by linking to https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/ and follow directions for submitting a digital copy of your received image.
Images will be downlinked at 145.8 MHz +/- 3 KHz for Doppler shift and the expected SSTV mode of operation is PD 120. The main theme will be for this event will be lunar exploration. Radio enthusiasts participating in the event can post and view images on the ARISS SSTV Gallery at https://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/ .
After your image is posted at the gallery, you can acquire a special award by linking to https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/ and follow directions for submitting a digital copy of your received image.
Announcement of New Senior Leadership Team
November 28, 2021
In May 2020, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, Inc. (ARISS-USA) created a new 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization to enhance and expand ARISS initiatives in the USA. To support the variety of new functions and roles of this organization, ARISS-USA has augmented its Senior Leadership team by selecting five new members.
Martin Schulman, Associate Director: In this role, Mr. Schulman will work with the Executive Director, delegating routine tasks, enhancing perspective, and serving as a backup to the executive director when necessary. He will also serve as a member of the ARISS-USA board. Mr. Schulman has over 30 years of experience in telecommunications, programming, and computer security, and is also an active volunteer with the Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club in Sterling, Virginia.
Tom Henderson, Secretary: In this role, Mr. Henderson will have the primary duty of ensuring that the internal matters of the organization run smoothly and efficiently. He will record and keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board. Mr. Henderson also serves as the custodian of the ARISS-USA Minute Book and additional books and records as the Board may direct. Mr. Henderson’s profession is IT infrastructure and systems security research. He is also current president of the Bloomington, Indiana Amateur Radio Club.
Jena Dunham, Director of Volunteer Resources: Ms. Dunham will be responsible for the recruitment, basic training, and retention of volunteers needed to complete ARISS-USA’s mission. She will also maintain the volunteer database, manage subscriptions to the mailing lists, and generate policies regarding volunteer conduct. Ms. Dunham is an experienced nurse practitioner in the state of Kansas and has served as a volunteer for 4-H and the Stormont Vail hospital system.
Rita DeHart, Director of Public Engagement: Ms. DeHart will be responsible for raising public awareness of the ARISS program. This includes the management of all communication methods with the public (including, but not limited to, website, press releases, articles, and all forms of social media). She will also be responsible for the management of conference participation. Ms. DeHart has 46 years in the electric power industry and is an active member of the Tampa Amateur Radio Club.
Randy Berger, Director of Engineering: Mr. Berger is responsible for planning and executing the development of hardware and software systems that will enhance the primary goals of ARISS-USA, specifically STEM education and backup communications for crew members on human spaceflight vehicles. Mr. Berger’s scope of engineering involvement will support the efforts of ARISS and includes everything within the engineering purview of ARISS, such as ISS, Lunar Gateway, satellite developments, and future government and commercial space ventures. International collaboration and coordination on systems and engineering strategies will be paramount in this role along with the understanding of national and international collaboration laws and constraints (such as ITAR) that is critically important in this role. Mr. Berger is an experienced technology officer and has been involved with amateur radio since the 1970s.
The new team members will join veteran leaders Frank Bauer (Executive Director), Carol Jackson (Treasurer), and Kathy Lamont (Director of Education). The Senior Leadership Team will work closely with long-time ARISS US Delegates Rosalie White (ARRL) and Dave Taylor (AMSAT).
The Director of Business Development and Director of Operations positions currently remain vacant.
In May 2020, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, Inc. (ARISS-USA) created a new 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization to enhance and expand ARISS initiatives in the USA. To support the variety of new functions and roles of this organization, ARISS-USA has augmented its Senior Leadership team by selecting five new members.
Martin Schulman, Associate Director: In this role, Mr. Schulman will work with the Executive Director, delegating routine tasks, enhancing perspective, and serving as a backup to the executive director when necessary. He will also serve as a member of the ARISS-USA board. Mr. Schulman has over 30 years of experience in telecommunications, programming, and computer security, and is also an active volunteer with the Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club in Sterling, Virginia.
Tom Henderson, Secretary: In this role, Mr. Henderson will have the primary duty of ensuring that the internal matters of the organization run smoothly and efficiently. He will record and keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board. Mr. Henderson also serves as the custodian of the ARISS-USA Minute Book and additional books and records as the Board may direct. Mr. Henderson’s profession is IT infrastructure and systems security research. He is also current president of the Bloomington, Indiana Amateur Radio Club.
Jena Dunham, Director of Volunteer Resources: Ms. Dunham will be responsible for the recruitment, basic training, and retention of volunteers needed to complete ARISS-USA’s mission. She will also maintain the volunteer database, manage subscriptions to the mailing lists, and generate policies regarding volunteer conduct. Ms. Dunham is an experienced nurse practitioner in the state of Kansas and has served as a volunteer for 4-H and the Stormont Vail hospital system.
Rita DeHart, Director of Public Engagement: Ms. DeHart will be responsible for raising public awareness of the ARISS program. This includes the management of all communication methods with the public (including, but not limited to, website, press releases, articles, and all forms of social media). She will also be responsible for the management of conference participation. Ms. DeHart has 46 years in the electric power industry and is an active member of the Tampa Amateur Radio Club.
Randy Berger, Director of Engineering: Mr. Berger is responsible for planning and executing the development of hardware and software systems that will enhance the primary goals of ARISS-USA, specifically STEM education and backup communications for crew members on human spaceflight vehicles. Mr. Berger’s scope of engineering involvement will support the efforts of ARISS and includes everything within the engineering purview of ARISS, such as ISS, Lunar Gateway, satellite developments, and future government and commercial space ventures. International collaboration and coordination on systems and engineering strategies will be paramount in this role along with the understanding of national and international collaboration laws and constraints (such as ITAR) that is critically important in this role. Mr. Berger is an experienced technology officer and has been involved with amateur radio since the 1970s.
The new team members will join veteran leaders Frank Bauer (Executive Director), Carol Jackson (Treasurer), and Kathy Lamont (Director of Education). The Senior Leadership Team will work closely with long-time ARISS US Delegates Rosalie White (ARRL) and Dave Taylor (AMSAT).
The Director of Business Development and Director of Operations positions currently remain vacant.
GIVING TUESDAY
Support ARISS with a Fundraising “Lift Off”
November 27, 2021
You’re browsing the ARISS web pages. You may already know ARISS inspires, engages and educates young people in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, mathematics) topics with a big focus on space and amateur radio. Or maybe you’ve enjoyed our SSTV downlinks, packet radio connections, or cross-band repeater contacts. You love technology, ham radio, and space, too.
A professional in the space industry once wrote, “ARISS combines the power of ham radio and space exploration into a magical elixir to engage students.”
ARISS is passionate about engaging students in this ham radio magical elixir, which in turn, engages hams, their clubs and communities.
It is Giving Tuesday time and we are asking you to become an ARISS donor so you can help ARISS deliver this elixir worldwide. When you donate to ARISS, you get back something really nice, too – a really great feeling! It makes you proud to know you’ve aided ARISS in helping a young person learn about STEAM, space, and amateur radio, along with related careers. Or helping other hams enjoy ARISS SSTV, packet, and the cross-band repeater. Giving feels good!
Take a look at these ARISS donor tributes:
"I LOVE what ARISS is doing for the kids. Introducing them to technology, radio and space. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!”
– David York, N8SGZ [All caps were typed by Mr. York.]
"My granddaughter, a 7th grade STEM student, wanted to listen to the ISS ARISS radio. She's not yet a ham, but working on it. So, we hooked up a portable 2-meter antenna and receiver and tried. We didn't hear anything, but we will try again. In the meantime, I wanted to support ARISS and keep up with anything new that I should know; so, I sent some money. I believe the ARISS work is great and valuable, so I will donate again in a few months."
– Byron Hayes, Jr., WA6ATN
If you contribute $100 USD or more, you receive an ARISS Challenge Coin! Every donor receives a thank you letter that could be a benefit at tax time, as ARISS-USA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.*
Recently, ARISS has found ways to offer more than a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for youth to engage in a personal conversation with an astronaut using amateur radio. ARISS is developing new programs for youth to delve into the excitement of electronics, robotics, mission control projects—all tied to amateur radio! With ARISS, the sky is not the limit.
We all work together – the ARISS team and our wonderful ARISS donors. Please join up with us by clicking on the ARISS Donate button! (above)
Special thanks to each of you that not only believe in ARISS but also donate to our ARISS projects.
Ad Astra! (To the Stars!)
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS-USA Executive Director
ARISS-International Chair
* ARISS-USA is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 85-1185748.
Checks are made payable to ARISS-USA & mailed to: ARISS-USA, 909 Metfield Road, Towson MD 21286.
You’re browsing the ARISS web pages. You may already know ARISS inspires, engages and educates young people in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, mathematics) topics with a big focus on space and amateur radio. Or maybe you’ve enjoyed our SSTV downlinks, packet radio connections, or cross-band repeater contacts. You love technology, ham radio, and space, too.
A professional in the space industry once wrote, “ARISS combines the power of ham radio and space exploration into a magical elixir to engage students.”
ARISS is passionate about engaging students in this ham radio magical elixir, which in turn, engages hams, their clubs and communities.
It is Giving Tuesday time and we are asking you to become an ARISS donor so you can help ARISS deliver this elixir worldwide. When you donate to ARISS, you get back something really nice, too – a really great feeling! It makes you proud to know you’ve aided ARISS in helping a young person learn about STEAM, space, and amateur radio, along with related careers. Or helping other hams enjoy ARISS SSTV, packet, and the cross-band repeater. Giving feels good!
Take a look at these ARISS donor tributes:
"I LOVE what ARISS is doing for the kids. Introducing them to technology, radio and space. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!”
– David York, N8SGZ [All caps were typed by Mr. York.]
"My granddaughter, a 7th grade STEM student, wanted to listen to the ISS ARISS radio. She's not yet a ham, but working on it. So, we hooked up a portable 2-meter antenna and receiver and tried. We didn't hear anything, but we will try again. In the meantime, I wanted to support ARISS and keep up with anything new that I should know; so, I sent some money. I believe the ARISS work is great and valuable, so I will donate again in a few months."
– Byron Hayes, Jr., WA6ATN
If you contribute $100 USD or more, you receive an ARISS Challenge Coin! Every donor receives a thank you letter that could be a benefit at tax time, as ARISS-USA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.*
Recently, ARISS has found ways to offer more than a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for youth to engage in a personal conversation with an astronaut using amateur radio. ARISS is developing new programs for youth to delve into the excitement of electronics, robotics, mission control projects—all tied to amateur radio! With ARISS, the sky is not the limit.
We all work together – the ARISS team and our wonderful ARISS donors. Please join up with us by clicking on the ARISS Donate button! (above)
Special thanks to each of you that not only believe in ARISS but also donate to our ARISS projects.
Ad Astra! (To the Stars!)
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS-USA Executive Director
ARISS-International Chair
* ARISS-USA is recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 85-1185748.
Checks are made payable to ARISS-USA & mailed to: ARISS-USA, 909 Metfield Road, Towson MD 21286.

A young girl really got in the spirit of an October 5th ARISS contact hosted by the Prescott Unified School District in Prescott, AZ.
Prescott Mile High Middle School sponsored a student amateur radio club.
ARDC Grant Award for the ARISS‐USA
STEREO Education Project
November 2, 2021
ARISS‐USA is known for promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) by
arranging live question/answer sessions via amateur radio between K‐12 students and astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). In the last two decades, over 1400 contacts have connected more than one million youth using amateur radio, with millions more watching and learning. ARISS is constantly pursuing opportunities to enhance and sustain our educational capabilities and outcomes.
ARISS-USA is pleased to announce that Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) awarded a 5-year grant for a project called, “Student and Teacher Education via Radio Experimentation and Operations” (STEREO). Total grant funding over five years is nearly $1.3 million. This ARDC grant will fund three distinct initiatives that enable ARISS to sustain and improve STEAM educational outcomes:
Part 1: ARISS is developing a wireless electronics technology kit called “SPARKI”, short for “Space‐
Pioneers Amateur Radio Kit Initiative” for use with middle and high school students. This ARDC grant will
take SPARKI from prototype to operational and then deploy these kits into a selected set of ARISS formal and informal education organizations that are planning their ARISS radio contacts.
Part 2: To be successful, ARISS must “Educate the Educator” by creating awareness of ARISS, amateur radio and SPARKI to prospective formal and informal educators in the USA. ARISS‐USA will conduct educator workshops for a selected set of educators to aid them in seamlessly employing SPARKI in their education environment and for ARISS to receive their feedback and ideas.
Part 3: The grant will support some of the costs of ARISS contact operations between students and astronauts aboard the ISS over the five-year grant period.
ARISS-USA Executive Director Frank Bauer welcomed this news by saying, “ARISS-USA is so excited about this new 5-year initiative. It will be a STEAM education game changer and represents a key element of our ARISS 2.0 vision. Most importantly, it brings wireless technologies and amateur radio into our ARISS formal and informal classrooms. We thank ARDC for their interest and support and look forward to working with them on this incredible initiative!”
ARDC’s mission is to support, promote, and enhance digital communication and broader communication science and technology, to promote Amateur Radio, scientific research, experimentation, education, development, open access, and innovation in information and communication technology. ARDC makes grants to projects and organizations that follow amateur radio’s practice and tradition of technical experimentation in both amateur radio and digital communication science. Such experimentation has led to broad advances for the benefit of the general public – such as the mobile phone and wireless internet technology. ARDC envisions a world where all such technology is available through open-source hardware and software, and where anyone has the ability to innovate upon it.
About ARISS:
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab‐Space Station Explorers, and NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program (NASA SCaN). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands‐on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.ariss-usa.org.
ARISS‐USA is known for promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) by
arranging live question/answer sessions via amateur radio between K‐12 students and astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). In the last two decades, over 1400 contacts have connected more than one million youth using amateur radio, with millions more watching and learning. ARISS is constantly pursuing opportunities to enhance and sustain our educational capabilities and outcomes.
ARISS-USA is pleased to announce that Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) awarded a 5-year grant for a project called, “Student and Teacher Education via Radio Experimentation and Operations” (STEREO). Total grant funding over five years is nearly $1.3 million. This ARDC grant will fund three distinct initiatives that enable ARISS to sustain and improve STEAM educational outcomes:
Part 1: ARISS is developing a wireless electronics technology kit called “SPARKI”, short for “Space‐
Pioneers Amateur Radio Kit Initiative” for use with middle and high school students. This ARDC grant will
take SPARKI from prototype to operational and then deploy these kits into a selected set of ARISS formal and informal education organizations that are planning their ARISS radio contacts.
Part 2: To be successful, ARISS must “Educate the Educator” by creating awareness of ARISS, amateur radio and SPARKI to prospective formal and informal educators in the USA. ARISS‐USA will conduct educator workshops for a selected set of educators to aid them in seamlessly employing SPARKI in their education environment and for ARISS to receive their feedback and ideas.
Part 3: The grant will support some of the costs of ARISS contact operations between students and astronauts aboard the ISS over the five-year grant period.
ARISS-USA Executive Director Frank Bauer welcomed this news by saying, “ARISS-USA is so excited about this new 5-year initiative. It will be a STEAM education game changer and represents a key element of our ARISS 2.0 vision. Most importantly, it brings wireless technologies and amateur radio into our ARISS formal and informal classrooms. We thank ARDC for their interest and support and look forward to working with them on this incredible initiative!”
ARDC’s mission is to support, promote, and enhance digital communication and broader communication science and technology, to promote Amateur Radio, scientific research, experimentation, education, development, open access, and innovation in information and communication technology. ARDC makes grants to projects and organizations that follow amateur radio’s practice and tradition of technical experimentation in both amateur radio and digital communication science. Such experimentation has led to broad advances for the benefit of the general public – such as the mobile phone and wireless internet technology. ARDC envisions a world where all such technology is available through open-source hardware and software, and where anyone has the ability to innovate upon it.
About ARISS:
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab‐Space Station Explorers, and NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program (NASA SCaN). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands‐on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.ariss-usa.org.
Mourning the Passing of Dr. Thomas A. Clark, K3IO, formerly W3IWI (SK)*

It is with great sadness that ARISS-International recognizes the passing of a dear friend, Dr. Tom Clark, K3IO. Tom passed away on September 28, 2021 in Columbia, Maryland.
Tom Clark is recognized as a pioneer, trailblazer and a legend who led innovations and initiatives that have been transformative and significantly impactful to humanity. These include his pioneering work in radio astronomy, particularly VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry), his contributions in the development of small satellite architectures that transformed the satellite industry, and his pivotal contributions in digital communications techniques and precise time measurement. These efforts span his professional career at NASA as a scientist and his parallel, avocational career as a leader, architect, and chief technologist at AMSAT-NA (President, Board Member, President Emeritus).
For ARISS, Dr. Clark co-led the startup of our human spaceflight amateur radio initiatives and helped us develop systems on the Shuttle and ISS that actively engaged students and the ham radio community. As president of AMSAT, he worked with senior leaders at the ARRL and NASA to set up agreements on Owen Garriott, W5LFL’s inaugural flight of amateur radio on the Space Shuttle (STS-9). His technical and financial support to SAREX (Shuttle) and ARISS (ISS) have been vital in moving these programs to new heights. When Astronaut Ron Parise, WA4SIR, planned to fly on a March 1986 mission prior to Challenger, Tom led a team of four of us, including Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, to develop protocols and software for rapid message exchange via a packet “Robot.” In Bob, WB4APR’s words, these “discussions helped firm up ideas on how APRS could be used not only as positioning tool, but also as a communication capability allowing rapid status and message reporting. Thus, allowing lots of people to rapidly make exchanges during a brief satellite pass.” The packet robot was used heavily in our SAREX (Shuttle) program, starting with Ron's STS-35 flight, after the Challenger accident. APRS remains a key staple in our ARISS on-board systems. Prior to his passing, Tom was also providing technical guidance in the development of lunar radio architectures we were proposing for Gateway and other opportunities around or on the Moon.
Tom’s NASA career centered upon his pioneering work to develop, deploy and evolve several generations of VLBI systems. These systems substantially improved over time due to Tom’s passion of introducing leading-edge (or, in Tom’s terminology, bleeding edge) technologies in radio, timing and data accumulation. VLBI is an astrophysics technique that combines observed stellar radio signals from space using several radio telescopes over a large baseline (the bigger the better). This creates a bigger effective radio telescope aperture, and thus, more spectacular results. VLBI is used to better understand the spinning motion of the Earth, the dynamics of the Earth’s crust, including global plate tectonics, to provide a more accurate definition of our celestial reference frame and to more accurately measure Universal Time. Tom linked together a global network of about 30 VLBI stations to make this happen. He continued to improve the timing precision of VLBI in the mid-1990’s through employment of the newly operational of GPS system. In fact, his “Totally Accurate Clock,” a playful use of his initials, has been found in VLBI stations and many other networks (and ham stations) around the globe.
For AMSAT, in 1981, Tom brought computer orbit prediction to the masses by publishing a reduced set of code originally on mainframe computers that could be programmed into the nascent personal computers of the day (e.g. Sinclair, Atari, Apple, TI). This innovation proved key to tracking the Shuttle during W5LFL’s flight and continues to serve hams today. He energized a demoralized international team after the spectacular loss of an Ariane-V rocket that also destroyed the Phase 3A spacecraft. His leadership propped up the team and led to the successful launch of AO-10 and 13. Clark was one of the architects of the Microsat, a set of 4 cubed microsatellites first launched in 1990 which paved the way for the CubeSat revolution. As an early founder and leader of TAPR, the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio organization, Tom helped move packet radio from an idea to a key operational capability in amateur radio. When talking publicly, Tom would frequently remind the audience that the word “amateur” in amateur radio should not be a disparaging word, because the Wright Brothers innovated as amateur aircraft builders, just like radio amateurs have innovated radio and satellite technology for the betterment of society. Tom Clark Inspects AMSAT Microsat Satellite
Those that knew Tom personally, knows he generously provided advice, shared knowledge or helped you move a project forward that he believed in. As GPS was closing in on full operations in mid-1995, Tom and I worked on several GPS initiatives, the most notable was the use of GPS above the constellation. Tom facilitated the manifest of a GPS experiment on AO-40 that I led as a NASA Principal Investigator. This experiment was instrumental in rewriting the books on how GPS is used in space. The day before Tom’s passing, NASA released a video on the benefits of these capabilities https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1ngun6OfgQ
Tom’s interests outside of the above, included photography, music, and cars. I leave you with a picture (below) of his final pride and joy: a Porsche Cayman which he affectionately called Ol’ Yallar II.
Thank you, Tom, for all you have done for ARISS, AMSAT, NASA and humanity. We wish you Godspeed. Have a wonderful journey amongst the stars!
73,
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
ARISS-USA Executive Director
Tom Clark is recognized as a pioneer, trailblazer and a legend who led innovations and initiatives that have been transformative and significantly impactful to humanity. These include his pioneering work in radio astronomy, particularly VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry), his contributions in the development of small satellite architectures that transformed the satellite industry, and his pivotal contributions in digital communications techniques and precise time measurement. These efforts span his professional career at NASA as a scientist and his parallel, avocational career as a leader, architect, and chief technologist at AMSAT-NA (President, Board Member, President Emeritus).
For ARISS, Dr. Clark co-led the startup of our human spaceflight amateur radio initiatives and helped us develop systems on the Shuttle and ISS that actively engaged students and the ham radio community. As president of AMSAT, he worked with senior leaders at the ARRL and NASA to set up agreements on Owen Garriott, W5LFL’s inaugural flight of amateur radio on the Space Shuttle (STS-9). His technical and financial support to SAREX (Shuttle) and ARISS (ISS) have been vital in moving these programs to new heights. When Astronaut Ron Parise, WA4SIR, planned to fly on a March 1986 mission prior to Challenger, Tom led a team of four of us, including Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, to develop protocols and software for rapid message exchange via a packet “Robot.” In Bob, WB4APR’s words, these “discussions helped firm up ideas on how APRS could be used not only as positioning tool, but also as a communication capability allowing rapid status and message reporting. Thus, allowing lots of people to rapidly make exchanges during a brief satellite pass.” The packet robot was used heavily in our SAREX (Shuttle) program, starting with Ron's STS-35 flight, after the Challenger accident. APRS remains a key staple in our ARISS on-board systems. Prior to his passing, Tom was also providing technical guidance in the development of lunar radio architectures we were proposing for Gateway and other opportunities around or on the Moon.
Tom’s NASA career centered upon his pioneering work to develop, deploy and evolve several generations of VLBI systems. These systems substantially improved over time due to Tom’s passion of introducing leading-edge (or, in Tom’s terminology, bleeding edge) technologies in radio, timing and data accumulation. VLBI is an astrophysics technique that combines observed stellar radio signals from space using several radio telescopes over a large baseline (the bigger the better). This creates a bigger effective radio telescope aperture, and thus, more spectacular results. VLBI is used to better understand the spinning motion of the Earth, the dynamics of the Earth’s crust, including global plate tectonics, to provide a more accurate definition of our celestial reference frame and to more accurately measure Universal Time. Tom linked together a global network of about 30 VLBI stations to make this happen. He continued to improve the timing precision of VLBI in the mid-1990’s through employment of the newly operational of GPS system. In fact, his “Totally Accurate Clock,” a playful use of his initials, has been found in VLBI stations and many other networks (and ham stations) around the globe.
For AMSAT, in 1981, Tom brought computer orbit prediction to the masses by publishing a reduced set of code originally on mainframe computers that could be programmed into the nascent personal computers of the day (e.g. Sinclair, Atari, Apple, TI). This innovation proved key to tracking the Shuttle during W5LFL’s flight and continues to serve hams today. He energized a demoralized international team after the spectacular loss of an Ariane-V rocket that also destroyed the Phase 3A spacecraft. His leadership propped up the team and led to the successful launch of AO-10 and 13. Clark was one of the architects of the Microsat, a set of 4 cubed microsatellites first launched in 1990 which paved the way for the CubeSat revolution. As an early founder and leader of TAPR, the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio organization, Tom helped move packet radio from an idea to a key operational capability in amateur radio. When talking publicly, Tom would frequently remind the audience that the word “amateur” in amateur radio should not be a disparaging word, because the Wright Brothers innovated as amateur aircraft builders, just like radio amateurs have innovated radio and satellite technology for the betterment of society. Tom Clark Inspects AMSAT Microsat Satellite
Those that knew Tom personally, knows he generously provided advice, shared knowledge or helped you move a project forward that he believed in. As GPS was closing in on full operations in mid-1995, Tom and I worked on several GPS initiatives, the most notable was the use of GPS above the constellation. Tom facilitated the manifest of a GPS experiment on AO-40 that I led as a NASA Principal Investigator. This experiment was instrumental in rewriting the books on how GPS is used in space. The day before Tom’s passing, NASA released a video on the benefits of these capabilities https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1ngun6OfgQ
Tom’s interests outside of the above, included photography, music, and cars. I leave you with a picture (below) of his final pride and joy: a Porsche Cayman which he affectionately called Ol’ Yallar II.
Thank you, Tom, for all you have done for ARISS, AMSAT, NASA and humanity. We wish you Godspeed. Have a wonderful journey amongst the stars!
73,
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
ARISS-USA Executive Director
Message to US Educators: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Contact Opportunity
Call for Proposals
New Proposal Window is October 1st, 2021 to November 24th, 2021
Sept. 11, 2021 --- The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between July 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.
The deadline to submit a proposal is November 24th, 2021. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at https://ariss-usa.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-usa/. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on October 7th, 2021 at 8 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-fall-2021.eventbrite.com
The Opportunity
Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.
An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.
Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio.
Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education@gmail.com .
New Proposal Window is October 1st, 2021 to November 24th, 2021
Sept. 11, 2021 --- The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between July 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.
The deadline to submit a proposal is November 24th, 2021. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at https://ariss-usa.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-usa/. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on October 7th, 2021 at 8 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-fall-2021.eventbrite.com
The Opportunity
Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.
An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.
Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio.
Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education@gmail.com .
Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Recognizes ARISS Organization
September 3, 2021— Kathryn Lueders, Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA has posted a statement recognizing Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) for its accomplishments in promoting STEM initiatives through amateur radio.
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NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) networks enable #NASA to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers – even from 350 kilometers above Earth.
In addition to connecting the science community on Earth with the groundbreaking research studies and experiments aboard the International Space Station, SCaN enables the space station to act as a unique platform for global STEM outreach and education efforts.
For over 20 years, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, a non-profit supported by SCaN, has connected classrooms on Earth with astronauts aboard the space station, allowing students to engage directly with astronauts in real-time. Using ham radio equipment installed on the space station and a ham radio station on the ground, students are able to establish a direct radio connection with the space station and ask the crew questions about living in space and what it takes to become an astronaut.
In preparation for their ARISS contact, the students explore a variety of #STEM studies, including space exploration, radio communication, and wireless technologies. With tens of thousands of student participants each year, the ARISS program plays an important role in inspiring the Artemis Generation and encouraging students to pursue STEM careers.
Learn more about the ARISS program and how you can bring space into your classroom here: www.ariss.org
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NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) networks enable #NASA to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers – even from 350 kilometers above Earth.
In addition to connecting the science community on Earth with the groundbreaking research studies and experiments aboard the International Space Station, SCaN enables the space station to act as a unique platform for global STEM outreach and education efforts.
For over 20 years, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, a non-profit supported by SCaN, has connected classrooms on Earth with astronauts aboard the space station, allowing students to engage directly with astronauts in real-time. Using ham radio equipment installed on the space station and a ham radio station on the ground, students are able to establish a direct radio connection with the space station and ask the crew questions about living in space and what it takes to become an astronaut.
In preparation for their ARISS contact, the students explore a variety of #STEM studies, including space exploration, radio communication, and wireless technologies. With tens of thousands of student participants each year, the ARISS program plays an important role in inspiring the Artemis Generation and encouraging students to pursue STEM careers.
Learn more about the ARISS program and how you can bring space into your classroom here: www.ariss.org
ARISS Offers More Fun to ARRL Field Day Operators
June 7, 2021—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has decided to keep its ARISS InterOperable Radio System (IORS) in crossband repeater mode until after ARRL Field Day ends. The IORS ham station is located in the Columbus Module of the International Space Station.
ARRL Hq Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, has confirmed that successful radio contacts made through the ARISS IORS, in crossband repeater mode, will count for an ARRL Field Day QSO point, but also for Field Day bonus points! Another fun opportunity for points. Don’t forget the rule limiting stations to 1 QSO per any single channel FM satellite. On-orbit astronauts always have very busy schedules, but if a voice contact were to be made with them, it would count for QSO credit but not for satellite bonus points. Only an ARISS crossband repeater QSO qualifies for the bonus. Crossband repeater contacts are also valid for AMSAT Field Day for satellite operations, held concurrently with the ARRL event.
Frequencies for ARISS crossband repeater operation are as follows: 145.990 MHz up, 67 Hz tone and 437.800 MHz down. If you haven’t used the ISS repeater yet, be sure to practice with it before Field Day (June 26-27, 2021). These contacts can be tricky, but hams can practice right now…can you do it?
ARISS had planned a mode switch to APRS packet during the second week of June. Now, ARISS is targeting the switch by the astronauts to packet after the first ARISS school contact following ARRL Field Day. In more news for ARISS supporters: the astronauts will power down the ARISS radio station during USA spacewalks on June 16 and June 20, 2021.
ARRL Hq Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, has confirmed that successful radio contacts made through the ARISS IORS, in crossband repeater mode, will count for an ARRL Field Day QSO point, but also for Field Day bonus points! Another fun opportunity for points. Don’t forget the rule limiting stations to 1 QSO per any single channel FM satellite. On-orbit astronauts always have very busy schedules, but if a voice contact were to be made with them, it would count for QSO credit but not for satellite bonus points. Only an ARISS crossband repeater QSO qualifies for the bonus. Crossband repeater contacts are also valid for AMSAT Field Day for satellite operations, held concurrently with the ARRL event.
Frequencies for ARISS crossband repeater operation are as follows: 145.990 MHz up, 67 Hz tone and 437.800 MHz down. If you haven’t used the ISS repeater yet, be sure to practice with it before Field Day (June 26-27, 2021). These contacts can be tricky, but hams can practice right now…can you do it?
ARISS had planned a mode switch to APRS packet during the second week of June. Now, ARISS is targeting the switch by the astronauts to packet after the first ARISS school contact following ARRL Field Day. In more news for ARISS supporters: the astronauts will power down the ARISS radio station during USA spacewalks on June 16 and June 20, 2021.
US Schools/Groups Move Into Phase 2 of ARISS Selections
May 13, 2021 — Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the schools/host organizations selected for the January-June 2022 contact window. A total of 9 of the submitted proposals during the recent proposal window have been accepted to move forward in the processes of planning to host a scheduled amateur radio contact with crew on the ISS. The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) activities and raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities.
ARISS anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for these US host organizations. The candidates must now complete an equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS technical team, the final selected schools / organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities.
The schools and organizations are:
Organization Location
Bellefontaine High School Bellefontaine, OH
Carter G. Woodson Middle School Hopewell, VA
Lewis Center for Educational Research Apple Valley, CA
Matinecock District, Suffolk County NY Boy Scouts Medford, NY
McBride High School Long Beach, CA
Old St. Mary's School Chicago, IL
Salem-South Lyon District Library South Lyon, MI
Sussex County Charter School for Technology Sparta, NJ
Space Hardware Club Huntsville, Alabama
ARISS-USA Volunteer Search
Towson, Maryland
April 29, 2021
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, Inc. (ARISS-USA) is seeking volunteers to support our mission:
To provide and operate Amateur Radio systems on International Space Station (ISS) and elsewhere to inspire,
educate, and engage youth and communities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) and
to support ISS backup communications. ARISS-USA, is a 501 (c) (3) charitable, educational and scientific non-profit
that was recently incorporated in the state of Maryland in the USA.
We are seeking volunteers with a can-do, collaborative attitude who can work effectively as part of a team to support a variety of functions and roles. We have volunteer openings in several senior leadership roles, including:
Associate Director
Treasurer
Secretary
Director of Business Development
Director of Volunteer Resources
Director of Public Engagement
Director of Engineering
We also have openings for volunteers who would support functions within the above teams as well as openings within the ARISS-USA Operations, Engineering and Education teams.
Descriptions of each of these roles are given in Article 8.6 of the ARISS-USA bylaws that can be referenced at:
https://ariss-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ARISS-USA-Bylaws-Web-Site.pdf
Candidates accepted into senior leadership positions will be required to first serve in a six-month probationary period. All candidates for senior leadership positions must be U.S. citizens.
If you are interested in making a difference as an ARISS-USA team member, please send your resume or CV to candidates@ariss-usa.org. Include a cover letter that explains what position you are interested in supporting.
We thank everyone for your interest and support to ARISS!
Ad Astra! (To the Stars!)
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS-USA Executive Director
ARISS-USA is an Equal Opportunity Organization and will not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, age, race, color, national origin, religion, physical handicap, disability or any other legally protected status
ARISS-USA Now a Non-profit Organization
ARISS-USA, the US-based organization connecting students with astronauts in space
Towson, Maryland
April 7, 2021
ARISS-USA, a Maryland not-for-profit corporation, is now recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service as a Section 501(c)(3) charitable, scientific, and educational organization. ARISS-USA is the US segment of the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) international working group. With this IRS determination, donations to ARISS-USA become tax-deductible in the US, retroactive to the ARISS-USA incorporation on May 21, 2020. This change in status allows ARISS-USA to solicit donations and grants.
As a new entity, ARISS-USA will continue to promote student involvement with the astronauts on the International Space Station via amateur radio. Working with educational organizations, ARISS provides exciting opportunities to inspire, engage and educate our next generation of space explorers through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) activities and content. ARISS-USA Executive Director, Frank Bauer, commented, “The educational scope and reach of what ARISS accomplishes has grown significantly since our beginnings in 1996. We are actively working to extend student’s reach even further. This, through the pursuit of potential student opportunities on human spaceflight missions beyond low Earth orbit, as part of our Amateur Radio Exploration (AREx) Program. First AREx destination: the Moon!”
ARISS-USA continues its collaborative work with ARISS International and US sponsors, partners, and interest groups. The ARISS-USA TEAM remains deeply indebted to its partners ARRL and AMSAT, who enabled the birth of ARISS, and to its steadfast sponsors, NASA Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) and the ISS National Lab (INL).
Gifts from those wishing to support ARISS-USA goals are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law and can be made by going to the ARISS website: www.ariss.org The ARISS-USA team thanks its sustaining donors for their continuing support!
ARISS Columbus Radio System Once Again Operational!
March 14, 2021—The ARISS Columbus Radio is back on-the-air! This, after it was rendered non-operational following a January 27 EVA (spacewalk) which was conducted to install a cable for the Bartolomeo commercial platform. During the January 27 spacewalk, the Bartolomeo HMU-601 cable, described in the March 10 ARISS Press conference (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hm4h4rBE9k&t=2214s), was installed in series with the ARISS antenna cable (HMU-895).
As part of a spacewalk conducted yesterday, March 13, Astronaut Michael Hopkins successfully completed the installation of three PAPOS connectors for the new Bartolomeo platform on the Columbus Module. After this task, Hopkins started the ARISS task. He moved to the opposite side of Columbus, where he removed the HMU-601 cable from the APCU J02 connector and reinstalled the ARISS antenna cable (HMU-895) connector back into the APCU J02 connector. This returned the ARISS system back to its pre-January 27 configuration.
At around 1200 UTC today, the astronauts turned on the ARISS radio system in Columbus. It was placed in PM3, or Packet Mode. PM3 employs a downlink frequency of 145.825 MHz. Shortly after radio startup, APRS signals were heard in California, Utah, and Idaho as the ISS passed along the USA West Coast. ARISS Team member, Christy Hunter, KB6LTY, confirmed she digipeated through the ARISS radio system, NA1SS, during this pass. With confirmation from additional stations in South America and the Middle East, the ARISS team has declared the radio system again operational.
On behalf of the ARISS International Team, our heartfelt thanks to all that helped ARISS work through the cable anomaly investigation, troubleshooting and ultimate repair. Special shout-outs go to the ISS crew, the operations and engineering teams at NASA, ESA and Airbus, and ARISS-Russia leader Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, whose quick actions allowed ARISS to maintain our school contact operations via the ARISS Service Module radio system. Our deepest appreciation also goes out to the ARISS International hardware and operations teams that worked so diligently to analyze, troubleshoot, develop operations procedures, move school contact operations, and inform the team and the public.
The ARISS team would also like to congratulate the ESA/Airbus Bartolomeo team! With the successful installation of 3 of the PAPOS connectors, as part of yesterday’s spacewalk, Bartolomeo is now operational!
Yesterday was a great day for all!
Ad Astra!
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
Executive Director, ARISS-USA
As part of a spacewalk conducted yesterday, March 13, Astronaut Michael Hopkins successfully completed the installation of three PAPOS connectors for the new Bartolomeo platform on the Columbus Module. After this task, Hopkins started the ARISS task. He moved to the opposite side of Columbus, where he removed the HMU-601 cable from the APCU J02 connector and reinstalled the ARISS antenna cable (HMU-895) connector back into the APCU J02 connector. This returned the ARISS system back to its pre-January 27 configuration.
At around 1200 UTC today, the astronauts turned on the ARISS radio system in Columbus. It was placed in PM3, or Packet Mode. PM3 employs a downlink frequency of 145.825 MHz. Shortly after radio startup, APRS signals were heard in California, Utah, and Idaho as the ISS passed along the USA West Coast. ARISS Team member, Christy Hunter, KB6LTY, confirmed she digipeated through the ARISS radio system, NA1SS, during this pass. With confirmation from additional stations in South America and the Middle East, the ARISS team has declared the radio system again operational.
On behalf of the ARISS International Team, our heartfelt thanks to all that helped ARISS work through the cable anomaly investigation, troubleshooting and ultimate repair. Special shout-outs go to the ISS crew, the operations and engineering teams at NASA, ESA and Airbus, and ARISS-Russia leader Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, whose quick actions allowed ARISS to maintain our school contact operations via the ARISS Service Module radio system. Our deepest appreciation also goes out to the ARISS International hardware and operations teams that worked so diligently to analyze, troubleshoot, develop operations procedures, move school contact operations, and inform the team and the public.
The ARISS team would also like to congratulate the ESA/Airbus Bartolomeo team! With the successful installation of 3 of the PAPOS connectors, as part of yesterday’s spacewalk, Bartolomeo is now operational!
Yesterday was a great day for all!
Ad Astra!
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
Executive Director, ARISS-USA
ARISS Press Conference on Columbus Radio System
March 10, 2021 at 1900 UTC (1400 Eastern Standard Time)
March 8, 2021—The ARISS team will conduct a 45-minute press conference for media this Wednesday March 10 at 1900 UTC (1400 Eastern Standard Time). This press conference will focus on the ARISS Radio system mounted in the Columbus module.
As a reminder, the ARISS team has been working very closely with NASA and ESA to identify potential causes of an ARISS radio anomaly first observed after the EVA (spacewalk) conducted on January 27. No transmissions or receptions have been heard from this radio since the EVA. During the spacewalk, cabling was installed to support the commissioning of the Bartolomeo attached payload capability mounted on Columbus. Part of this effort rerouted the ARISS antenna cable through one of the Bartolomeo cables.
The press conference will provide insight into some of the cable troubleshooting that has occurred. It will also discuss the EVA (spacewalk) planned for Saturday March 13 where astronauts Michael Hopkins and Victor Glover will complete the connection of payload cables on the new Bartolomeo platform. While at the Bartolomeo platform, the astronauts plan to reroute the ARISS cabling back to its original configuration prior to the January 27 EVA.
Interested media can attend the upcoming press conference using the following GoTo meeting credentials:
ARISS Press Conference: Columbus Module Hardware Status
Wed, Mar 10, 2021 1900-1945 UTC/2:00 PM - 2:45 PM (EST)
Please join from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/229563437
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3129
Access Code: 229-563-437
More phone numbers:
Australia: +61 2 8355 1050 , Austria: +43 7 2081 5427 , Belgium: +32 27 00 6378
Brazil: +55 21 3500-3941 , Bulgaria: +359 2 906 0605 ,Canada: +1 (647) 497-9391
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Switzerland: +41 225 4599 78 , Turkey: +90 212 900 4807 , United Kingdom: +44 330 221 0088
ARISS Columbus Radio Testing
March 5, 2021 Update
March 5, 2021--The following is an ARISS update from the e-mail I sent out on 2 March 2021, which is shown at the bottom of this Blog note.
This past week, astronauts on ISS performed troubleshooting tests on all four Bartolomeo RF cables that were previously installed in the Columbus Module. The P01 cable, designated for ARISS, and the other three cables, designated for Bartolomeo commercial use, were connected to the ARISS radio system and tested in APRS mode. No communications were established.
An EVA (spacewalk) is currently in progress. Both ARISS radio systems on ISS have been shut off prior to this EVA for safety reasons. As stated below, the ARISS antenna cable swap is a contingency procedure that is planned as the last task in the EVA (as time allows). Prior to this contingency activity, Kate Rubins and Soichi Noguchi will be working on some other Bartolomeo cable/connector troubleshooting, The troubleshooting with the Bartolomeo PAPOS connector will occur around 1700 UTC (+/- 30 minutes). We are cautiously hopeful that the ARISS contingency EVA procedure, planned after the PAPOS troubleshooting, will be successfully completed prior to the end of the EVA. If you listen to the EVA and want to follow along, Rubins and Noguchi plan to reconnect our ARISS antenna to the J02 connector of the APCU bracket.
You can watch the EVA at www.nasa.gov.
73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
**************
March 2, 2021--The ARISS team has been working very closely with NASA and ESA to identify potential ARISS radio anomaly causes and resolve the radio issues that were observed after the EVA (spacewalk) conducted on January 27. During this spacewalk, cabling was installed to support the commissioning of the Bartolomeo attached payload capability mounted on the Columbus module. Part of this cabling rerouted the cabling of the ARISS antenna on Columbus to the ARISS radio system.
Through a great deal of coordination with NASA and ESA, ARISS will be conducting a set of APRS tests to determine the operational use of the ARISS radio system in Columbus through employment of three different cabling configurations. Over the next couple of days, ARISS will be performing a series of tests using our APRS capability through the standard 145.825 MHz APRS frequency. The crew will be periodically shutting down the radio and swapping cables so ARISS can troubleshoot the radio system and the cabling. ARISS is unsure of the exact swap times as it will be dependent upon the crew’s availability. We expect these tests to start no earlier than 1600 UTC on March 2 and run through sometime on March 3. We cannot guarantee that these troubleshooting tests will resolve the radio issue. But we encourage ARISS APRS operations in this time span. Additionally, a contingency task has been approved for an EVA planned for this Friday March 5 if these tests are unsuccessful. This EVA task would return the ARISS cabling to the original configuration prior to the January 27 EVA. Being a contingency task means the crew will only be performing the activity if time allows. So there is no guarantee that this EVA will be conducted on Friday March 5.
We ask to please not send any “No contact” e-mails or social media responses as this will overwhelm the ARISS team. But if you definitely hear the packet system working or are able to connect through it, let us know the Date, Time and Grid Square of the occurrence.
We thank you for your patience as we work through this somewhat complex anomaly.
73,
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS, International Chair
Executive Director, ARISS-USA
This past week, astronauts on ISS performed troubleshooting tests on all four Bartolomeo RF cables that were previously installed in the Columbus Module. The P01 cable, designated for ARISS, and the other three cables, designated for Bartolomeo commercial use, were connected to the ARISS radio system and tested in APRS mode. No communications were established.
An EVA (spacewalk) is currently in progress. Both ARISS radio systems on ISS have been shut off prior to this EVA for safety reasons. As stated below, the ARISS antenna cable swap is a contingency procedure that is planned as the last task in the EVA (as time allows). Prior to this contingency activity, Kate Rubins and Soichi Noguchi will be working on some other Bartolomeo cable/connector troubleshooting, The troubleshooting with the Bartolomeo PAPOS connector will occur around 1700 UTC (+/- 30 minutes). We are cautiously hopeful that the ARISS contingency EVA procedure, planned after the PAPOS troubleshooting, will be successfully completed prior to the end of the EVA. If you listen to the EVA and want to follow along, Rubins and Noguchi plan to reconnect our ARISS antenna to the J02 connector of the APCU bracket.
You can watch the EVA at www.nasa.gov.
73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
**************
March 2, 2021--The ARISS team has been working very closely with NASA and ESA to identify potential ARISS radio anomaly causes and resolve the radio issues that were observed after the EVA (spacewalk) conducted on January 27. During this spacewalk, cabling was installed to support the commissioning of the Bartolomeo attached payload capability mounted on the Columbus module. Part of this cabling rerouted the cabling of the ARISS antenna on Columbus to the ARISS radio system.
Through a great deal of coordination with NASA and ESA, ARISS will be conducting a set of APRS tests to determine the operational use of the ARISS radio system in Columbus through employment of three different cabling configurations. Over the next couple of days, ARISS will be performing a series of tests using our APRS capability through the standard 145.825 MHz APRS frequency. The crew will be periodically shutting down the radio and swapping cables so ARISS can troubleshoot the radio system and the cabling. ARISS is unsure of the exact swap times as it will be dependent upon the crew’s availability. We expect these tests to start no earlier than 1600 UTC on March 2 and run through sometime on March 3. We cannot guarantee that these troubleshooting tests will resolve the radio issue. But we encourage ARISS APRS operations in this time span. Additionally, a contingency task has been approved for an EVA planned for this Friday March 5 if these tests are unsuccessful. This EVA task would return the ARISS cabling to the original configuration prior to the January 27 EVA. Being a contingency task means the crew will only be performing the activity if time allows. So there is no guarantee that this EVA will be conducted on Friday March 5.
We ask to please not send any “No contact” e-mails or social media responses as this will overwhelm the ARISS team. But if you definitely hear the packet system working or are able to connect through it, let us know the Date, Time and Grid Square of the occurrence.
We thank you for your patience as we work through this somewhat complex anomaly.
73,
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS, International Chair
Executive Director, ARISS-USA
Message to US Educators
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
Contact Opportunity
Call for Proposals
New Proposal Window is February 15th, 2021 to March 31st, 2021
February 2, 2021 --- The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.
The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31st, 2021. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on February 25th, 2021 at 8 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2021.eventbrite.com
The Opportunity
Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.
An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.
Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio.
Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education@gmail.com .
The deadline to submit a proposal is March 31st, 2021. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on February 25th, 2021 at 8 PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2021.eventbrite.com
The Opportunity
Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.
An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.
Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio.
Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education@gmail.com .
ARISS Operations Situation
January 28, 2021 - I sent this e-mail to our ARISS team today. I felt it is important that you see this too. ARISS will get through this issue. And, as you can see, we have some work arounds to keep our school contacts moving forward.
For those that do not know radio shortcuts—73 is short for “best regards.” It is a term amateur radio operators traditionally use at the end of our radio conversations.
ARISS thanks each of you for your tremendous interest and support to our program.
Frank Bauer
*********************
All,
Today was a tough one for ARISS. Let me explain.
As you all know, an EVA (spacewalk) was conducted yesterday to install cabling on the exterior of Columbus to support the commissioning of the Bartolomeo attached payload capability mounted on the Columbus module. On January 26, prior to the EVA, our Columbus next generation radio system was shut off and the ISS-internal coaxial cable to the antenna was disconnected from the ARISS radio as a safety precaution for the EVA. During the EVA, our current external antenna coaxial cable, installed in 2009, was replaced with another one built by ESA/Airbus with four RF connectors included, as compared to the current 2 RF connections. This change was made to allow ESA to connect ARISS and 3 additional customers to Bartolomeo, as compared to ARISS and one additional RF customer. As you might have seen yesterday, the EVA was conducted and our cable connection was swapped out. This morning, the crew restarted the radio system. Not hearing any Voice Repeater reports, we requested a switch to APRS packet. We still did not hear any downlink reports. At 1746 UTC we had a planned ARISS school contact between our certified telebridge station ON4ISS, operated by Jan in Belgium, and Mike Hopkins on ISS. No downlink signal was heard during the contact. The crew radioed down “no joy” on the contact about halfway through the contact and the Newcastle High School, Newcastle Wyoming, USA contact attempt ended.
Clearly, there is an issue. More troubleshooting will be required. It may be the new external RF cable that was installed during yesterday’s EVA. It might also be from the connect and disconnect of the interior coaxial (RF) cable. So the interior cable cannot not be totally discounted yet. The crew took pictures of the coaxial cable and connector attached to the ARISS radio inside the ISS. Because the exterior cable is a Bartolomeo cable and not an ARISS cable, we are working with ESA and NASA on a way forward. NASA has opened a Payload Anomaly Report on this issue. We have talked to both the NASA and ESA representatives. These are the same folks that worked with us on previous ARISS hardware systems as well as the ESA Bartolomeo integration initiative. We have also asked our Russian team lead, Sergey Samburov, if we can temporarily use the radio in the Service Module for school contacts until we are able to resolve this issue. As we gather more information, we will share it with you.
On behalf of the ARISS International Board, the Delegates and the entire team, I want to thank all of you for your tremendous volunteer support to ARISS. We WILL get through this and be more resilient as a result.
73, Frank
For those that do not know radio shortcuts—73 is short for “best regards.” It is a term amateur radio operators traditionally use at the end of our radio conversations.
ARISS thanks each of you for your tremendous interest and support to our program.
Frank Bauer
*********************
All,
Today was a tough one for ARISS. Let me explain.
As you all know, an EVA (spacewalk) was conducted yesterday to install cabling on the exterior of Columbus to support the commissioning of the Bartolomeo attached payload capability mounted on the Columbus module. On January 26, prior to the EVA, our Columbus next generation radio system was shut off and the ISS-internal coaxial cable to the antenna was disconnected from the ARISS radio as a safety precaution for the EVA. During the EVA, our current external antenna coaxial cable, installed in 2009, was replaced with another one built by ESA/Airbus with four RF connectors included, as compared to the current 2 RF connections. This change was made to allow ESA to connect ARISS and 3 additional customers to Bartolomeo, as compared to ARISS and one additional RF customer. As you might have seen yesterday, the EVA was conducted and our cable connection was swapped out. This morning, the crew restarted the radio system. Not hearing any Voice Repeater reports, we requested a switch to APRS packet. We still did not hear any downlink reports. At 1746 UTC we had a planned ARISS school contact between our certified telebridge station ON4ISS, operated by Jan in Belgium, and Mike Hopkins on ISS. No downlink signal was heard during the contact. The crew radioed down “no joy” on the contact about halfway through the contact and the Newcastle High School, Newcastle Wyoming, USA contact attempt ended.
Clearly, there is an issue. More troubleshooting will be required. It may be the new external RF cable that was installed during yesterday’s EVA. It might also be from the connect and disconnect of the interior coaxial (RF) cable. So the interior cable cannot not be totally discounted yet. The crew took pictures of the coaxial cable and connector attached to the ARISS radio inside the ISS. Because the exterior cable is a Bartolomeo cable and not an ARISS cable, we are working with ESA and NASA on a way forward. NASA has opened a Payload Anomaly Report on this issue. We have talked to both the NASA and ESA representatives. These are the same folks that worked with us on previous ARISS hardware systems as well as the ESA Bartolomeo integration initiative. We have also asked our Russian team lead, Sergey Samburov, if we can temporarily use the radio in the Service Module for school contacts until we are able to resolve this issue. As we gather more information, we will share it with you.
On behalf of the ARISS International Board, the Delegates and the entire team, I want to thank all of you for your tremendous volunteer support to ARISS. We WILL get through this and be more resilient as a result.
73, Frank
7 US Schools Moved Forward in ARISS Selection Process
ARISS News Release No. 21-01
January 7, 2021 - Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the schools/host organizations selected for the July-December 2021 contact window. A total of 7 of the submitted proposals during the recent proposal window have been accepted to move forward in the processes of planning to host a scheduled amateur radio contact with crew on the ISS. The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) activities and raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities.
The ARISS program anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for the 7 US host organizations during the July through December 2021 time period. They are now at work completing an acceptable equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS Technical Mentors, the final selected schools/organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities offered by NASA.
January 7, 2021 - Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the schools/host organizations selected for the July-December 2021 contact window. A total of 7 of the submitted proposals during the recent proposal window have been accepted to move forward in the processes of planning to host a scheduled amateur radio contact with crew on the ISS. The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) activities and raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities.
The ARISS program anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for the 7 US host organizations during the July through December 2021 time period. They are now at work completing an acceptable equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS Technical Mentors, the final selected schools/organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities offered by NASA.
ARISS – Celebrating 20 Years of Continuous Amateur Radio Operations on the ISS
Celebrating the First ARISS School Contact:
Luther Burbank School, Burbank, Illinois USA
December 21, 2000
December 21, 2020—Twenty years ago today, fourteen students at the Luther Burbank School, in Burbank, Illinois USA stepped up to the microphone, held by ARISS mentor Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, and made history. When it was all over, the ARISS team conducted its first ever ISS school contact, enabling students at Luther Burbank to ask ISS Commander Bill Shepherd, KD5GSL, questions about living and working in space and to hear Commander Shepherd's answers.
Notably, the first contact did not go exactly as planned. The first contact attempt, scheduled for December 19, failed. Luther Burbank lead teacher Rita Wright, KC9CDL, details the school’s entire ARISS contact experience in a paper is entitled “Remember, We’re Pioneers!” The paper title commemorates the statement "Remember, we're pioneers" made by one of the Burbank eighth grade students to teacher Rita Wright shortly after the crushing disappointment of that failed contact attempt.
Two days later, on December 21, 2000, the ARISS connection went a lot differently. At 20:28 UTC, Astronaut Bill Shepherd on ISS called out “Alpha Juliet 9 November NA1SS we have you readable. Go ahead.” Student Jessica Lehocky stepped up to the microphone and asked Commander Shepherd “What emotions did you feel as you boarded the Soyuz rocket?” Eleven minutes later, all 14 students received answers to their questions. Jessica was able to ask an additional question. And lead teacher Rita Wright sent her thanks to Commander Shepherd on behalf of the students and faculty at Burbank.
The first ARISS school contact was finally a success! ARISS school contacts were now fully operational, starting a 20 year journey of inspiring, engaging and educating our next generation of explorers. But, after 20 years, what has happened to the students and faculty at Burbank?
Notably, the first contact did not go exactly as planned. The first contact attempt, scheduled for December 19, failed. Luther Burbank lead teacher Rita Wright, KC9CDL, details the school’s entire ARISS contact experience in a paper is entitled “Remember, We’re Pioneers!” The paper title commemorates the statement "Remember, we're pioneers" made by one of the Burbank eighth grade students to teacher Rita Wright shortly after the crushing disappointment of that failed contact attempt.
Two days later, on December 21, 2000, the ARISS connection went a lot differently. At 20:28 UTC, Astronaut Bill Shepherd on ISS called out “Alpha Juliet 9 November NA1SS we have you readable. Go ahead.” Student Jessica Lehocky stepped up to the microphone and asked Commander Shepherd “What emotions did you feel as you boarded the Soyuz rocket?” Eleven minutes later, all 14 students received answers to their questions. Jessica was able to ask an additional question. And lead teacher Rita Wright sent her thanks to Commander Shepherd on behalf of the students and faculty at Burbank.
The first ARISS school contact was finally a success! ARISS school contacts were now fully operational, starting a 20 year journey of inspiring, engaging and educating our next generation of explorers. But, after 20 years, what has happened to the students and faculty at Burbank?
Burbank Student Jessica Lehocky asks Commander Bill Shepherd first ARISS Question
Burbank Contact Retrospective and STEAM Impact
In June 2020, I challenged ARISS Mentor Charlie Sufana, AJ9N to contact some of the Burbank students to get their impressions of the ARISS experience and understand how the contact impacted their lives. Despite the huge challenge of finding students 20 years later, Charlie rose to the challenge and significantly exceeded my expectations. On November 22, 2020, Charlie sponsored a Zoom reunion with 24 Burbank contact alumni In attendance, including 5 of the 14 students that talked to Commander Shepherd, several students that supported the contact by developing the questions, several Burbank teachers that supported the contact, including lead teacher Rita Wright, hams who helped with the contact, parents involved in the contact setup, and the school Principal, Robert Mocek.
Some observations from the Zoom Reunion and Charlie’s pre-reunion research:
- The reunion and the showing of the contact video elicited many emotions 20 years later—some choked up while talking and tears were flowing down several reunion members faces.
- Most of the students attending received college degrees and are now in STEAM careers.
- Some student careers include: Physicist (PhD), Doctor of Audiology (with a practice in Illinois), Nurse, CPA, Navy Contract Specialist, Special Education Teacher (3rd and 4th grade), Pharmaceutical Laboratory Test Manager for Infant Gene Therapy, Quality Manager at a Paper Products Company.
- Student Keith Taddei wrote the letter (below) just a few weeks before the contact. While not an astronaut (presently), Dr. Taddei received his PhD in Physics and is now a Staff Scientist at the Oak Ridge National Labs. His current research employs neutron scattering to study superconductors, magnetic Weyl semimetals and magnetic phase transitions.
- Student Brittany Lukasik was in the 1st grade and was the youngest student to ask Bill Shepherd a question. Britanny said “the ARISS experience influenced my life.” She received her B.S. degree in Nursing and is now a nurse in Florida.
- Several Burbank students moved to the Space Coast and think about their ARISS contact every time they see a launch
- After the contact, at least 3 of the adults that attended got their amateur radio licenses, including the teacher, Rita Wright.
- Principal Bob Mocek said that the ARISS event at Burbank 20 years ago “Was the best thing he ever did as an educator in his 40 years in education”
- Maureen O’Brien, a teacher, stated that “We did so much in the classroom leading up to the contact. We were given the creative freedom to develop lessons based on our grade level and subject matter. The teachers were engaged at all grade levels (K-8) and all study subjects”
- Teacher Susan McNichols stated: “I pulled out the scrapbook on the Burbank ARISS experience and I still get emotional about it 20 years later”
- In 2012, Susan McNichols organized a ARISS contact with astronaut Don Petit for the Liberty Jr High School, where she is teaching now.
Burbank was our first ARISS school contact. Twenty years later, ARISS has performed over 1,300 of these contacts with schools, libraries, scout groups and museums. If our educational impact with each of these 1,300+ schools is commensurate with the impact observed at Burbank, then all I can say is: WOW!!!
The ARISS team wishes the students, teachers, and all the families that participated in the Burbank ARISS contact on December 21, 2000 a Happy 20th Anniversary!! And to the students (now adults): Keep Exploring!!
Ad Astra! (To the Stars!)
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chairman
The ARISS team wishes the students, teachers, and all the families that participated in the Burbank ARISS contact on December 21, 2000 a Happy 20th Anniversary!! And to the students (now adults): Keep Exploring!!
Ad Astra! (To the Stars!)
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chairman
ARISS: Celebrating 20 Years of Continuous Operations on ISS!!

November 13, 2020—Twenty years ago today, the Expedition-1 crew turned on the ARISS Ericsson radio for the first time and completed several contacts with ARISS ground stations around the world to validate the radio communications system. These inaugural contacts launched an incredible two-decade operations journey on ISS, enabling ARISS to inspire, engage and educate our next generation of explorers and provide the ham radio community a platform for lifelong learning and experimentation.
In celebration of the ISS 20th anniversary, ARISS was part of an ISS Research and Development Conference Panel session entitled “20 years of STEM Experiments on the ISS.” The video below, developed for this panel session, describes our program, celebrates our 20th anniversary, conveys some key lessons learned over the past 20 years and describes the ARISS team’s vision for the future. Enjoy watching!
20 years of continuous operations is a phenomenal accomplishment. But what makes it even more extraordinary is that ARISS has achieved this through hundreds of volunteers that are passionate in “paying it forward” to our youth and ham radio community. On behalf of the ARISS International team, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to every volunteer that has made ARISS such an amazing success over the past 20 years. Your passion, drive, creativity and spirit made it happen!!
Congratulations ARISS team!!!
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
In celebration of the ISS 20th anniversary, ARISS was part of an ISS Research and Development Conference Panel session entitled “20 years of STEM Experiments on the ISS.” The video below, developed for this panel session, describes our program, celebrates our 20th anniversary, conveys some key lessons learned over the past 20 years and describes the ARISS team’s vision for the future. Enjoy watching!
20 years of continuous operations is a phenomenal accomplishment. But what makes it even more extraordinary is that ARISS has achieved this through hundreds of volunteers that are passionate in “paying it forward” to our youth and ham radio community. On behalf of the ARISS International team, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to every volunteer that has made ARISS such an amazing success over the past 20 years. Your passion, drive, creativity and spirit made it happen!!
Congratulations ARISS team!!!
Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
Tony Hutchison receives Order of Australia Medal
November 8: Australian ARISS volunteer and telebridge radio station operator James Anthony (Tony) Hutchison received the prestigious Order of Australia medal at the annual investiture ceremony in Government House. Due to Covid-19, each person earning the medal gathered with a very small group of friends for each award presentation and the entire ceremony was streamed live. Recipients are named in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List and Tony’s citation called out his dedicated service to amateur radio in amateur satellites and amateur radio space communication. He had supported ham radio contacts with Mir, SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment) and ARISS. He’s helped 65 ARISS schools prepare for their radio contacts and utilized his ham radio telebridge station to facilitate 58 ARISS school contacts.
Happy 20th Anniversary ISS!!
November 2, 2020—Today represents the 20th anniversary of continuous crew operations on the ISS. On behalf of the ARISS International Team, we would like to extend 20th Anniversary Greetings to all five ISS space agencies (NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, CSA and JAXA), to all the astronauts, cosmonauts, and private explorers that visited or had extended stays on ISS, and to the international ground operations team. We thank you for allowing ARISS (also known as ISS Ham Radio) to be part of your journey of exploration and discovery! And we look forward to continuing the ISS journey with you in the future!
ISS crew operations began on November 2, 2000 with the arrival of the Expedition One crew. (See photo below.) The Expedition One crew included Commander William (Bill) Shepherd, KD5GSL, (center), Soyuz Commander Yuri Gidzenko (right), and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR (left).
ISS crew operations began on November 2, 2000 with the arrival of the Expedition One crew. (See photo below.) The Expedition One crew included Commander William (Bill) Shepherd, KD5GSL, (center), Soyuz Commander Yuri Gidzenko (right), and Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR (left).
Just a few days after the crew arrived, they set up our first ISS ham radio system. It was installed in the Zarya (FGB) module and consisted of an Ericsson Handheld radio, Packet/Power supply, Headset and interconnecting cables developed by the USA and Russian teams. For transmissions, ARISS Russia team member Sergey Samburov brilliantly worked with his Russian colleagues to acquire use of a VHF antenna in Zarya previously employed for docking and no longer needed. The installation of the ISS Ham Radio is briefly described in the Nov 10, 2000 Expedition One Status Report:
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Friday, Nov. 10, 2000 - 2 p.m. CST
Expedition One Crew
11.10.00
STATUS REPORT : ISS00-55
International Space Station Status Report #00-55
The Expedition One crew spent a relatively quiet day today aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as they prepare for the arrival of an unmanned resupply craft late next week.
…..
The crew will be given three days off Saturday, Sunday and Monday to relax following a busy period of activity since launch on October 31. The only significant activity on tap for Saturday calls for the crew to begin the setup of ham radio equipment in Zarya. ISS crews will use that gear to talk to schools and other ham radio operators throughout the world as they orbit the Earth.
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After station setup on November 11, first operations of the ARISS ham radio system started on November 13, 2000, just 11 days after the Expedition One crew arrived. Thus, November 13, 2020 represents the 20th Anniversary of continuous operations of the ARISS ham radio system on ISS. ARISS plans a year-long celebration of our 20th anniversary. Please watch this web site often for celebration blog messages, historical milestones and special events that we will be conducting over the year.
*****
Friday, Nov. 10, 2000 - 2 p.m. CST
Expedition One Crew
11.10.00
STATUS REPORT : ISS00-55
International Space Station Status Report #00-55
The Expedition One crew spent a relatively quiet day today aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as they prepare for the arrival of an unmanned resupply craft late next week.
…..
The crew will be given three days off Saturday, Sunday and Monday to relax following a busy period of activity since launch on October 31. The only significant activity on tap for Saturday calls for the crew to begin the setup of ham radio equipment in Zarya. ISS crews will use that gear to talk to schools and other ham radio operators throughout the world as they orbit the Earth.
*****
After station setup on November 11, first operations of the ARISS ham radio system started on November 13, 2000, just 11 days after the Expedition One crew arrived. Thus, November 13, 2020 represents the 20th Anniversary of continuous operations of the ARISS ham radio system on ISS. ARISS plans a year-long celebration of our 20th anniversary. Please watch this web site often for celebration blog messages, historical milestones and special events that we will be conducting over the year.
NASA is also celebrating 20 years of ham radio on ISS through this infographic.
Before I close this blog note, I would like to share with you one of my favorite photographs taken from the ISS. See below. What a beautiful sunrise shining over the Earth and illuminating the Zvezda module on ISS!
But wait! There is more!! The Zvezda module is where one of the two ARISS radio stations is located on ISS. (The other is in the European Columbus module). If you look closely at the end of Zvezda and approximately pointing at the Sun, you can see one of the four ARISS antenna systems that are mounted on Zvezda. All developed by volunteers.
What an inspiring photo!!
As we approach our 20th anniversary, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our entire ARISS international team. You volunteer for our youth, for ham radio worldwide, and to further the ideals of Ham Radio in space. What a phenomenal team!!
Ad Astra!!
73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
Executive Director, ARISS-USA
Before I close this blog note, I would like to share with you one of my favorite photographs taken from the ISS. See below. What a beautiful sunrise shining over the Earth and illuminating the Zvezda module on ISS!
But wait! There is more!! The Zvezda module is where one of the two ARISS radio stations is located on ISS. (The other is in the European Columbus module). If you look closely at the end of Zvezda and approximately pointing at the Sun, you can see one of the four ARISS antenna systems that are mounted on Zvezda. All developed by volunteers.
What an inspiring photo!!
As we approach our 20th anniversary, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our entire ARISS international team. You volunteer for our youth, for ham radio worldwide, and to further the ideals of Ham Radio in space. What a phenomenal team!!
Ad Astra!!
73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
Executive Director, ARISS-USA
First Element of ARISS Next Generation (Next-Gen)
Radio System Installed in ISS Columbus Module
ARISS News Release No. 20-13
September 2, 2020—The ARISS team is pleased to announce that set up and installation of the first element of our next generation radio system was completed and amateur radio operations with it are now underway. This first element, dubbed the InterOperable Radio System (IORS), was installed in the International Space Station Columbus module. The IORS replaces the Ericsson radio system and packet module that were originally certified for spaceflight on July 26, 2000.
Initial operation of the new radio system is in FM cross band repeater mode using an uplink frequency of 145.99 MHz with an access tone of 67 Hz and a downlink frequency of 437.800 MHz. System activation was first observed at 01:02 UTC on September 2. Special operations will continue to be announced.
The IORS was launched from Kennedy Space Center on March 6, 2020 on board the SpaceX CRS-20 resupply mission. It consists of a special, space-modified JVC Kenwood D710GA transceiver, an ARISS developed multi-voltage power supply and interconnecting cables. The design, development, fabrication, testing, and launch of the first IORS was an incredible five-year engineering achievement accomplished by the ARISS hardware volunteer team. It will enable new, exciting capabilities for ham radio operators, students, and the general public. Capabilities include a higher power radio, voice repeater, digital packet radio (APRS) capabilities and a Kenwood VC-H1 slow scan television (SSTV) system.
A second IORS undergoes flight certification and will be launched later for installation in the Russian Service module. This second system enables dual, simultaneous operations, (e.g. voice repeater and APRS packet), providing diverse opportunities for radio amateurs. It also provides on-orbit redundancy to ensure continuous operations in the event of an IORS component failure.
Next-gen development efforts continue. For the IORS, parts are being procured and a total of ten systems are being fabricated to support flight, additional flight spares, ground testing and astronaut training. Follow-on next generation radio system elements include an L-band repeater uplink capability, currently in development, and a flight Raspberry-Pi, dubbed “ARISS-Pi,” that is just beginning the design phase. The ARISS-Pi promises operations autonomy and enhanced SSTV operations.
ARISS is run almost entirely by volunteers, and with the help of generous contributions from ARISS sponsors and individuals. Donations to the ARISS program for next generation hardware developments, operations, education, and administration are welcome -- please go to https://www.ariss.org/donate.html to contribute to these efforts.
ARISS--Celebrating 20 years of continuous amateur radio operations on the ISS!
ARISS’s James Anthony “Tony” Hutchison
Bestowed the Member of the Order of Australia Medal
ARISS News Release No. 20-07
June 20, 2020—Well-known ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) team member James Anthony (Tony) Hutchison, VK5ZAI, has been awarded the prestigious Member of the Order of Australia medal.
Tony was named on June 8 in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. In speaking with Queen Elizabeth II about the recipients receiving medals, Australia’s Governor-General said,
“This list recognises a group of outstanding Australians who have made a contribution to their community, to Australia globally or domestically.”
Tony’s official citation called out his dedicated service to amateur radio, particularly in amateur satellites and amateur radio space communication. Years back, Tony developed and installed a telebridge radio ground station to support scheduled ham radio communications between astronauts in space and students in schools. His telebridge ground station consists of an amateur (ham) radio satellite station with special equipment and tracking antennas. To speak with astronauts who have amateur radio licenses, the students connect via a Verizon conference line from their school to the telebridge station, and then with the astronaut using ham radio. The astronauts supporting scheduled ARISS contacts use the ARISS radios on the International Space Station (ISS).
Tony leads all ARISS educational contact initiatives performed in Australia, also. People all over the world regard him very highly for his efforts to give students the opportunity to be inspired in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) by talking to an astronaut in space. Tony’s engaging personality, infectious enthusiasm and outstanding professionalism are also highly praised by the many astronauts who have employed Tony and his station over the years. A number of news outlets have written stories featuring Tony’s ham radio volunteering, including the Australian Broadcast Corporation. His response to the multitude of congratulatory notes he received reflected his typical modesty. He wrote,
“Although I received the honour, I would like to share it with all team members I work with. If it wasn’t for the work that all the ARISS-International volunteers do, this award would never have been given.”
Tony initially got involved in human spaceflight ham radio contacts with crew members on the Russian space station Mir. Mir operations included international cosmonauts and NASA astronauts as part of the Mir-ISS collaboration effort. As the international space agencies transitioned to operations on ISS, Tony focused his efforts on ARISS. He has helped 65 ARISS schools prepare for ARISS contacts and used his ham radio telebridge station for 58 ARISS education contacts throughout the world.
The investiture ceremony for Tony and others bestowed the Order of Australia medal will be at Government House in Adelaide in the fall, after gatherings are safer to hold.
June 20, 2020—Well-known ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) team member James Anthony (Tony) Hutchison, VK5ZAI, has been awarded the prestigious Member of the Order of Australia medal.
Tony was named on June 8 in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. In speaking with Queen Elizabeth II about the recipients receiving medals, Australia’s Governor-General said,
“This list recognises a group of outstanding Australians who have made a contribution to their community, to Australia globally or domestically.”
Tony’s official citation called out his dedicated service to amateur radio, particularly in amateur satellites and amateur radio space communication. Years back, Tony developed and installed a telebridge radio ground station to support scheduled ham radio communications between astronauts in space and students in schools. His telebridge ground station consists of an amateur (ham) radio satellite station with special equipment and tracking antennas. To speak with astronauts who have amateur radio licenses, the students connect via a Verizon conference line from their school to the telebridge station, and then with the astronaut using ham radio. The astronauts supporting scheduled ARISS contacts use the ARISS radios on the International Space Station (ISS).
Tony leads all ARISS educational contact initiatives performed in Australia, also. People all over the world regard him very highly for his efforts to give students the opportunity to be inspired in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) by talking to an astronaut in space. Tony’s engaging personality, infectious enthusiasm and outstanding professionalism are also highly praised by the many astronauts who have employed Tony and his station over the years. A number of news outlets have written stories featuring Tony’s ham radio volunteering, including the Australian Broadcast Corporation. His response to the multitude of congratulatory notes he received reflected his typical modesty. He wrote,
“Although I received the honour, I would like to share it with all team members I work with. If it wasn’t for the work that all the ARISS-International volunteers do, this award would never have been given.”
Tony initially got involved in human spaceflight ham radio contacts with crew members on the Russian space station Mir. Mir operations included international cosmonauts and NASA astronauts as part of the Mir-ISS collaboration effort. As the international space agencies transitioned to operations on ISS, Tony focused his efforts on ARISS. He has helped 65 ARISS schools prepare for ARISS contacts and used his ham radio telebridge station for 58 ARISS education contacts throughout the world.
The investiture ceremony for Tony and others bestowed the Order of Australia medal will be at Government House in Adelaide in the fall, after gatherings are safer to hold.
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Team in the United States Creates a New Organization: ARISS-USA
ARISS-USA is now the US-based organization connecting students with astronauts in space.
Towson, Maryland –June 4, 2020
In late May, the USA team of the ARISS International working group became an incorporated non-profit entity in the state of Maryland, officially becoming ARISS-USA. This move allows ARISS-USA to work as an independent organization, soliciting grants and donations. They will continue promoting amateur radio and STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts, and math within educational organizations and inspire, engage and educate our next generation of space enthusiasts.
ARISS-USA will maintain its collaborative work with ARISS International as well as with US sponsors, partners, and interest groups. The main goal of ARISS-USA remains as connecting educational groups with opportunities to interact with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). ARISS-USA will expand its human spaceflight opportunities with the space agencies, beyond low Earth orbit, starting with lunar opportunities including the Lunar Gateway. ARISS-USA will continue to review and accept proposals for ISS contacts and expand its other educational opportunities to increase interest in space sciences and radio communications.
Becoming an independent organization has been discussed for quite some time. ARISS-USA lead Frank Bauer, KA3HDO said “The scope and reach of what ARISS accomplishes each year has grown significantly since its humble beginnings in 1996. Our working group status made it cumbersome to establish partnerships, sign agreements and solicit grants. These can only be done as an established organization.” Bauer further elaborated, “The ARISS-USA team remains deeply indebted to our working group partners—ARRL and AMSAT, who enabled the birth of ARISS—and our steadfast sponsors, NASA Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) and the ISS National Lab (INL).” ARISS-USA aims to keep earning high regards from all these partners and sponsors.
While ARISS-USA is now an incorporated non-profit entity, we are in the process of applying for tax exemption as a Section 501 (c) (3) charitable, scientific or educational organization. Until that status is approved by the USA Internal Revenue Service, donations made directly to ARISS-USA will not be tax deductible for taxpayers in the USA. Those wanting to make a tax deductible donation for the benefit of ARISS-USA can, in the meantime, continue to make donations to ARISS sponsor AMSAT-NA through the ARISS website at: www.ariss.org.
As ARISS-USA begins a new era as a human spaceflight amateur radio organization, it acknowledges those who were so instrumental in the formation of human spaceflight amateur radio. These include Vic Clark, W4KFC and Dave Sumner, K1ZZ from the ARRL; Bill Tynan, W3XO and Tom Clark, K3IO from AMSAT; Roy Neal, K6DUE a major guide for SAREX and ARISS; and NASA astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL. Also remembered is Pam Mountjoy, NASA education, who had the vision to develop the ARISS working group as a single amateur radio focus into the space agencies. All of these giants’ shoulders are what ARISS-USA rests upon.
In late May, the USA team of the ARISS International working group became an incorporated non-profit entity in the state of Maryland, officially becoming ARISS-USA. This move allows ARISS-USA to work as an independent organization, soliciting grants and donations. They will continue promoting amateur radio and STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts, and math within educational organizations and inspire, engage and educate our next generation of space enthusiasts.
ARISS-USA will maintain its collaborative work with ARISS International as well as with US sponsors, partners, and interest groups. The main goal of ARISS-USA remains as connecting educational groups with opportunities to interact with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). ARISS-USA will expand its human spaceflight opportunities with the space agencies, beyond low Earth orbit, starting with lunar opportunities including the Lunar Gateway. ARISS-USA will continue to review and accept proposals for ISS contacts and expand its other educational opportunities to increase interest in space sciences and radio communications.
Becoming an independent organization has been discussed for quite some time. ARISS-USA lead Frank Bauer, KA3HDO said “The scope and reach of what ARISS accomplishes each year has grown significantly since its humble beginnings in 1996. Our working group status made it cumbersome to establish partnerships, sign agreements and solicit grants. These can only be done as an established organization.” Bauer further elaborated, “The ARISS-USA team remains deeply indebted to our working group partners—ARRL and AMSAT, who enabled the birth of ARISS—and our steadfast sponsors, NASA Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) and the ISS National Lab (INL).” ARISS-USA aims to keep earning high regards from all these partners and sponsors.
While ARISS-USA is now an incorporated non-profit entity, we are in the process of applying for tax exemption as a Section 501 (c) (3) charitable, scientific or educational organization. Until that status is approved by the USA Internal Revenue Service, donations made directly to ARISS-USA will not be tax deductible for taxpayers in the USA. Those wanting to make a tax deductible donation for the benefit of ARISS-USA can, in the meantime, continue to make donations to ARISS sponsor AMSAT-NA through the ARISS website at: www.ariss.org.
As ARISS-USA begins a new era as a human spaceflight amateur radio organization, it acknowledges those who were so instrumental in the formation of human spaceflight amateur radio. These include Vic Clark, W4KFC and Dave Sumner, K1ZZ from the ARRL; Bill Tynan, W3XO and Tom Clark, K3IO from AMSAT; Roy Neal, K6DUE a major guide for SAREX and ARISS; and NASA astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL. Also remembered is Pam Mountjoy, NASA education, who had the vision to develop the ARISS working group as a single amateur radio focus into the space agencies. All of these giants’ shoulders are what ARISS-USA rests upon.
About ARISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) receives funding from and uses resources of the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory. ARISS is a member of the Space Station Explorers consortium.
ARISS is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org.
About the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory:
In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the ISS as the nation’s newest national laboratory to optimize its use for improving quality of life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The ISS U.S. National Laboratory manages a portfolio of both basic and applied research projects to support the transition of low Earth orbit to a robust space economy. A fundamental component of the ISS National Lab mission is to make the unique properties of the low Earth orbit environment available for use to non-NASA U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. Through management of a comprehensive and diverse research portfolio, the ISS National Lab is driving innovative science that can benefit life on Earth and demonstrate the value of space-based research to the American public.
Space Station Explorers is a consortium of organizations that use the power and appeal of the International Space Station to engage students. Consortium members develop and deliver high-quality educational programs that feature science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts and skills. This includes the opportunity for students to design, build, launch and/or operate their own experiments on the ISS. The consortium works with educators, learners and explorers of all ages.
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) receives funding from and uses resources of the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory. ARISS is a member of the Space Station Explorers consortium.
ARISS is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org.
About the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory:
In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the ISS as the nation’s newest national laboratory to optimize its use for improving quality of life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The ISS U.S. National Laboratory manages a portfolio of both basic and applied research projects to support the transition of low Earth orbit to a robust space economy. A fundamental component of the ISS National Lab mission is to make the unique properties of the low Earth orbit environment available for use to non-NASA U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. Through management of a comprehensive and diverse research portfolio, the ISS National Lab is driving innovative science that can benefit life on Earth and demonstrate the value of space-based research to the American public.
Space Station Explorers is a consortium of organizations that use the power and appeal of the International Space Station to engage students. Consortium members develop and deliver high-quality educational programs that feature science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts and skills. This includes the opportunity for students to design, build, launch and/or operate their own experiments on the ISS. The consortium works with educators, learners and explorers of all ages.
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