June 28, 2014
A direct contact via DN4OD between students at Gymnasium Markt Indersdorf, Markt Indersdorf, Bavaria, Germany, and astronaut Alexander Gerst, KF5ONO was completed Sat 2014-06-28 12:08:21 UTC 70 deg. Unfortunately the contact was compromised by local interference; the cause is being investigated. Students were able to receive answers to 6 questions.
The grammar school/high school of Markt Indersdorf (Gymnasium Markt Indersdorf GMI, Germany) began operations in the school year of 2001/2002. In 2007 the first students graduated successfully with the certificate qualifying them to go to university (Abitur). Currently, about 90 teachers instruct approximately 1,100 pupils aged 10 to 19, about 250 of them are in the qualification phase (years/grades 11 and 12).
The GMI offers the choice between two faculties, the linguistic and scientific-technological one. Approximately 75 percent of the pupils decide for the latter. The pupils obtain an education in science from the 5th year/grade on, the subject Physics is taught from year/grade 8 on for both faculties, in the scientific-technological profile additional hours for more in-depth education are mandatory. In years/grades 11 and 12, the pupils have the choice between Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Experience has shown that about 30 to 40 per school year decide to take Physics. About half of them vote for Astrophysics in the 12th year/grade. From 5th year/grade on, all pupils study English as their first foreign language.
The ISS Project
The pupils are divided for this project into different groups that are each responsible for one of the following activities:
• Technology: Installation, commissioning and maintenance of the antenna system respectively the radio station as well as all the necessary hardware and software
• Planning and monitoring: Organization of the overall sequence of events, initiation of a school's competition to select the questions to the astronauts, organization of rehearsals
• Presentation and documentation: Design of the facilities in question, elaboration of exhibitions and wall papers, construction of a model of the ISS, photo, audio and video documentation
• Public Relations (local and trans-regional): Press, TV, radio and website.
Pupils of all ages should participate in selecting the questions to the astronauts. The examination of questionnaires of other schools which already made contact with the ISS should secure the creation of uncommon and interesting questions that are not asked in every interview.
At the event in question - depending on the date and time - a large number, if possible, of the school family should be present in the assembly hall, for example, to attend a live broadcast from the radio room.
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A direct contact via DN4OD between students at Gymnasium Markt Indersdorf, Markt Indersdorf, Bavaria, Germany, and astronaut Alexander Gerst, KF5ONO was completed Sat 2014-06-28 12:08:21 UTC 70 deg. Unfortunately the contact was compromised by local interference; the cause is being investigated. Students were able to receive answers to 6 questions.
The grammar school/high school of Markt Indersdorf (Gymnasium Markt Indersdorf GMI, Germany) began operations in the school year of 2001/2002. In 2007 the first students graduated successfully with the certificate qualifying them to go to university (Abitur). Currently, about 90 teachers instruct approximately 1,100 pupils aged 10 to 19, about 250 of them are in the qualification phase (years/grades 11 and 12).
The GMI offers the choice between two faculties, the linguistic and scientific-technological one. Approximately 75 percent of the pupils decide for the latter. The pupils obtain an education in science from the 5th year/grade on, the subject Physics is taught from year/grade 8 on for both faculties, in the scientific-technological profile additional hours for more in-depth education are mandatory. In years/grades 11 and 12, the pupils have the choice between Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Experience has shown that about 30 to 40 per school year decide to take Physics. About half of them vote for Astrophysics in the 12th year/grade. From 5th year/grade on, all pupils study English as their first foreign language.
The ISS Project
The pupils are divided for this project into different groups that are each responsible for one of the following activities:
• Technology: Installation, commissioning and maintenance of the antenna system respectively the radio station as well as all the necessary hardware and software
• Planning and monitoring: Organization of the overall sequence of events, initiation of a school's competition to select the questions to the astronauts, organization of rehearsals
• Presentation and documentation: Design of the facilities in question, elaboration of exhibitions and wall papers, construction of a model of the ISS, photo, audio and video documentation
• Public Relations (local and trans-regional): Press, TV, radio and website.
Pupils of all ages should participate in selecting the questions to the astronauts. The examination of questionnaires of other schools which already made contact with the ISS should secure the creation of uncommon and interesting questions that are not asked in every interview.
At the event in question - depending on the date and time - a large number, if possible, of the school family should be present in the assembly hall, for example, to attend a live broadcast from the radio room.
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June 24, 2014
ISS Voice Contacts This Weekend During ARRL Field Day, June 28
Current discussions between the ARISS team and NASA suggest the possibility of voice contacts with the International Space Station (ISS) during Saturday’s ARRL Field Day activities this coming weekend.
In a June 23 email, Kenneth Ransom, the ISS Ham Radio payload developer, stated “I have received a response from astronaut (Reid) Wiseman that he is willing to try and work some stations on Saturday. Pass times begin very soon after the start of Field day.” Wiseman would operate under the call sign, NA1SS. Should Alex Gerst participate, he would use the call sign, DP0ISS.
If voice operation does occur, It will likely take place from the Columbus (COL) module using the standard Region 2 uplink frequency of 144.49 MHz and 145.800 MHz for downlink. It’s expected that the packet system will be operational on 145.825 MHz during periods when the crew is not available.
It’s not clear whether any of the Russian crew would participate from the Russian module, but if so, they would be directed to use 437.550 MHz for any contacts using the call sign RS0ISS. The COL would also be available to their crew using the VHF frequencies above, if Wiseman is not operating.
Listed below are approximate pass times and a chart showing ISS passes for the Field Day weekend. The pass times shown are not definite, scheduled times with the crew. They may or may not be able to support these times. And, updates to this tentative plan will be released as they become available.
Saturday, June 28:
ISS Voice Contacts This Weekend During ARRL Field Day, June 28
Current discussions between the ARISS team and NASA suggest the possibility of voice contacts with the International Space Station (ISS) during Saturday’s ARRL Field Day activities this coming weekend.
In a June 23 email, Kenneth Ransom, the ISS Ham Radio payload developer, stated “I have received a response from astronaut (Reid) Wiseman that he is willing to try and work some stations on Saturday. Pass times begin very soon after the start of Field day.” Wiseman would operate under the call sign, NA1SS. Should Alex Gerst participate, he would use the call sign, DP0ISS.
If voice operation does occur, It will likely take place from the Columbus (COL) module using the standard Region 2 uplink frequency of 144.49 MHz and 145.800 MHz for downlink. It’s expected that the packet system will be operational on 145.825 MHz during periods when the crew is not available.
It’s not clear whether any of the Russian crew would participate from the Russian module, but if so, they would be directed to use 437.550 MHz for any contacts using the call sign RS0ISS. The COL would also be available to their crew using the VHF frequencies above, if Wiseman is not operating.
Listed below are approximate pass times and a chart showing ISS passes for the Field Day weekend. The pass times shown are not definite, scheduled times with the crew. They may or may not be able to support these times. And, updates to this tentative plan will be released as they become available.
Saturday, June 28:
- N. America (18:11-18:33 UTC)
- Hawaii (19:36 - 19:47 UTC)
- N. America (19:48-20:10 UTC)
June 20, 2014
A telebridge contact with European Space Center, Transinne, Belgium telebridge via IK1SLD was successful Fri 2014-06-20 18:36:47 UTC 46 deg.
The planned telebridge contact with Focus Camps – Sterrenlab, Italy at the same time was not possible due to phone line failure impacting the entire town.
Focus Camp, Candriai, Italy
The radio contact with the ISS was to take place during the Focus Campus, a science summer camp addressed to children aged 8 to 13 organized by Focus Junior - the most popular science magazine for children in Italy - and Sterrenlab, the camp organizer. During the week children will participate to science laboratories, learn about science topics and challenge themselves to design and build experiments and machines. The Focus Campus in Candriai (Trento) focuses on tinkering and DIY activities ("Una scienza da creare" - "A science to create"). Children will also have the opportunity to do sport in the morning, play with their friends and visit the alpine nature surrounding the camp premises.
Euro Space Center, Redu, Belgium
About 150 youngsters from all over Europe celebrate the International Closing Event for Mission X 2014 at the Euro Space Center in Belgium. “Mission X train like an astronaut” is an international education project that encourages children to take part in a challenge, adopting a life style reflecting astronaut training. The Closing Event offers participants the opportunity to meet astronauts and trainers, to experience the training simulators for astronauts, to simulate a Shuttle mission and to build a rocket.
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A telebridge contact with European Space Center, Transinne, Belgium telebridge via IK1SLD was successful Fri 2014-06-20 18:36:47 UTC 46 deg.
The planned telebridge contact with Focus Camps – Sterrenlab, Italy at the same time was not possible due to phone line failure impacting the entire town.
Focus Camp, Candriai, Italy
The radio contact with the ISS was to take place during the Focus Campus, a science summer camp addressed to children aged 8 to 13 organized by Focus Junior - the most popular science magazine for children in Italy - and Sterrenlab, the camp organizer. During the week children will participate to science laboratories, learn about science topics and challenge themselves to design and build experiments and machines. The Focus Campus in Candriai (Trento) focuses on tinkering and DIY activities ("Una scienza da creare" - "A science to create"). Children will also have the opportunity to do sport in the morning, play with their friends and visit the alpine nature surrounding the camp premises.
Euro Space Center, Redu, Belgium
About 150 youngsters from all over Europe celebrate the International Closing Event for Mission X 2014 at the Euro Space Center in Belgium. “Mission X train like an astronaut” is an international education project that encourages children to take part in a challenge, adopting a life style reflecting astronaut training. The Closing Event offers participants the opportunity to meet astronauts and trainers, to experience the training simulators for astronauts, to simulate a Shuttle mission and to build a rocket.
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June 16, 2014
ARISS is Represented at ISS Research and Development Conference
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) will have a prominent place at the third annual ISS Research and Development Conference this week. The conference, organized by American Astronautical Society (AAS) in cooperation with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space and NASA, takes place June 17-19 in Chicago. More information is published in this American Radio Relay League (ARRL) news story: http://www.arrl.org/news/view/amateur-radio-role-on-space-station-featured-at-iss-research-and-development-conference.
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ARISS is Represented at ISS Research and Development Conference
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) will have a prominent place at the third annual ISS Research and Development Conference this week. The conference, organized by American Astronautical Society (AAS) in cooperation with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space and NASA, takes place June 17-19 in Chicago. More information is published in this American Radio Relay League (ARRL) news story: http://www.arrl.org/news/view/amateur-radio-role-on-space-station-featured-at-iss-research-and-development-conference.
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June 16, 2014
A direct contact with Slavic Nations Ham Radio Conference, Sochi, Russia was successful Thu 2014-06-12 15:40 UTC.
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A direct contact with Slavic Nations Ham Radio Conference, Sochi, Russia was successful Thu 2014-06-12 15:40 UTC.
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June 8, 2014
Ian MacFarquhar, VE9IM appointed as ARISS Regional Representative
The Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) has appointed Ian MacFarquhar, VE9IM to be the new ARISS Regional Representative. Ian replaces former representative, Daniel Lamoureux, VE2KA.
Rosalie White, K1STO, ARISS-ARRL Delegate and ARISS-International Secretary-Treasurer comments by saying …
“Canadian ARISS representatives have always been a huge benefit to the ARISS team. Not only have the Canadians contributed a great deal of sound thinking and hard work, but many have been highly active with IARU long before getting involved in ARISS -- this was a huge benefit since ARISS is an international group. Also, because Canadians, generally, are talented in multiple languages, Canadian ARISS reps take on schools and education groups in Mexico, Central America, and South America (in addition to Canada) who send ARISS education proposals. Historically, Canadian ARISS reps have handled the election processes for ARISS international officers. We know Ian will add a lot to our team, as well.”
In a recent press release from RAC, Geoff Bawden VE4BAW, RAC President says …”Mr. MacFarquhar has been Vice President, supervised the successful insurance program and has been a pillar in RAC for longer than he cares to remember.”
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Ian MacFarquhar, VE9IM appointed as ARISS Regional Representative
The Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) has appointed Ian MacFarquhar, VE9IM to be the new ARISS Regional Representative. Ian replaces former representative, Daniel Lamoureux, VE2KA.
Rosalie White, K1STO, ARISS-ARRL Delegate and ARISS-International Secretary-Treasurer comments by saying …
“Canadian ARISS representatives have always been a huge benefit to the ARISS team. Not only have the Canadians contributed a great deal of sound thinking and hard work, but many have been highly active with IARU long before getting involved in ARISS -- this was a huge benefit since ARISS is an international group. Also, because Canadians, generally, are talented in multiple languages, Canadian ARISS reps take on schools and education groups in Mexico, Central America, and South America (in addition to Canada) who send ARISS education proposals. Historically, Canadian ARISS reps have handled the election processes for ARISS international officers. We know Ian will add a lot to our team, as well.”
In a recent press release from RAC, Geoff Bawden VE4BAW, RAC President says …”Mr. MacFarquhar has been Vice President, supervised the successful insurance program and has been a pillar in RAC for longer than he cares to remember.”
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