ARISS News Release                                                       No. 23-19

ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Council Rock High School South, Holland, Pennsylvania, USA

April 28, 2023—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the Council Rock High School South located in Holland, PA.  ARISS conducts 60-80 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
 
Council Rock High School South (with about 2,000 students) is located in Lower Bucks County, PA. The school has extensive STEM-based clubs and activities that are preparing students for careers in Science and Mathematics. Two of these clubs will be heavily involved in this ARISS contact, the Council Rock South Radio Club (KC3JND) and HUNCH.  HUNCH (High schools United with NASA to Create Hardware) is an effort to bring students new educational experiences by having them design products for NASA. The amateur radio club allows students to study for their ham license, and participate in club events including radio contacts with other high schools, Morse code battleship, foxhunting, and small electronic soldering projects.
The school’s Technology Club (of which HUNCH is a division) will help promote this ARISS contact by providing audio/video equipment for live streaming and recording the event as well as providing knowledge of the engineering aspect of the ISS and its communications systems. Many STEM-related activities prior to this contact will be a collaboration between Tech Club and Amateur Radio Club such as receiving data from a NOAA weather satellite. For this ARISS contact, students in the school’s amateur radio club are working with HAM radio engineers, (and members of the Warminster Amateur Radio Club, K3DN) who are helping students to prepare for this radio contact.
 
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of Astronaut Steve Bowen, amateur radio call sign KI5BKB. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
 
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in Holland, PA. Amateur radio operators using call sign KC3JND, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
 
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for May 1, 2023 at 8:43 am EDT (PA) (12:43 UTC, 7:43 am CDT, 6:43 am MDT, 5:43 am PDT).
 
The public is invited to watch the live stream at: http://www.crsarc.org/live
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1.  How does your companionship and cooperation on the ISS serve as a lesson for how to solve problems in society?
2.  Are there skills that you have learned from acquiring your amateur radio license that have helped you as an astronaut?
3.  Do you think that living in space has given you a unique perspective on life on this planet and our role as stewards of it?
4.  How has your education helped you become the astronaut that you are today and what advice would you give to someone looking to pursue that career?
5.  How hard was it for you to adjust to experiencing night and day every 45 minutes?
6.  In your experience in space, what stood out the most as being different compared to your training?
7.  What experiments will you be conducting that you believe could have significant scientific impact?
8.  What challenges if any did you encounter during this mission and how did you handle them?
9.  Have language barriers presented any obstacles during your time on the ISS?
10.  How does traveling in the Space X vehicle compare to the Soyuz spacecraft?
11.  How has your wilderness training benefitted you during your tenure in space?
12.  Has being an astronaut always been a dream of yours, or is it something that you learned you wanted to pursue along the way.
13.  Who was most influential in helping you become an astronaut?
14.  What is the best and worst experiences related to being in microgravity?
15.  Working alongside astronauts from many countries, why do you think it is important for the advancement of science and space exploration to be an international effort.
16.  How does the duration of exercise in microgravity compare to that on Earth in order to get the same results?
17.  Are there any values or views that you’ve developed that you don’t think you would have without your experiences?
18.  What is your favorite thing to do during your free time on the ISS?
19.  Do you think living away from civilization has changed your outlook on life or relationships?
20.  How has microgravity affected your sense of smell and taste?

ARISS News Release                                                  No. 23-18

ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Agrupamento de Escolas João de Barros, Corroios, Portugal, AND Escola Secundária da Baixa da Banheira, Moita, Portugal

April 20, 2023—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at two educational facilities located in Corroios and Moita, Portugal.  ARISS conducts 60-80 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
 
Agrupamento de Escolas João de Barros (AEJB), established in 2013, is located in Corroios, Seixal and consists of five schools from pre-school to secondary education with an enrollment of 2,458. AEJB offers courses in the areas of: Science and Technology, Socioeconomic Sciences, Visual Arts/Arts Workshop, Languages and Humanities. AEFJ also offers two professional courses in the field of computer technologies.
 
Secondary School of Baixa da Banheira is a public, Vocational Education and Training school (VET) (with about 1600 enrolled) located in Moita, near the capital city of Lisbon. Their VET curriculum includes: IT, Sports, Cooking and Catering, Logistics, Tourism and Pharmacy Technician courses. The school offers a "Centro Qualifica" for adults who also have multinational backgrounds.
 
Ham radio operator members of the Amateur Radio Association in Portugal (REP) are supporting this ARISS contact with the necessary radio equipment, radio operation and ISS tracking.
 
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of Astronaut Steve Bowen, amateur radio call sign KI5BKB. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
 
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in Moita, Portugal. Amateur radio operators using call sign CS5SS, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
 
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for April 22, 2023 at 1:06:44 pm WEST (Portugal) (12:06:44 UTC, 8:06 am EDT, 7:06 am CDT, 6:06 am MDT, 5:06 am PDT).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1.  Why did you decide to become an astronaut?
2.  What does it take to be an astronaut.?
3.  What is your daily routine like? /How do you share tasks?
4.  Is your digestion affected by the absence of gravity?
5.  How do you communicate with your families?
6.  What are the effects that happen to an astronaut who has been in space for a long period of time when they arrive back to Earth? 
7.  How long does each mission take?
8.  Is your blood circulation affected by the change in gravity? 
9.  What does the inside of the ISS look like?   
10.  Was it difficult to get used to living there?
11.  Do you recycle your waste?
12.  How does the space station keep orbiting the Earth?  
13.  What projects are you currently developing?
14.  If one of you gets ill, what do you do?
15.  What was the most amazing thing you have ever seen in space?
16.  How do you spend your free time?
17.  What are the changes that you can see happening due to climate changes?
18.  What do you fear the most up there?
19.  Do you consider yourselves as heroes?
20.  If you get emotional and cry what happens to your tears? 

ARISS News Release                                                No. 23-17

ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Montross Middle School, Montross, Virginia, USA

April 19, 2023 —Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the Montross Middle School located in Montross, VA.  ARISS conducts 60-80 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
 
Montross Middle School is a rural, public school for 6th, 7th and 8th grades with about 300 students in Westmoreland County, Montross VA. The School’s STEM curriculum includes courses on the solar system, space exploration and specifically included assignments on tracking and spotting the ISS. Courses have also emphasized communication using ham radio, and the properties of radio waves. In preparation for the ARISS contact, the school participated in the School Club Roundup with the Westmoreland Amateur Radio Club in the previous Fall and Spring.  Members of the Westmoreland Amateur Radio Club have also been sharing their expertise on radio communication and communicating with the ISS using ham radio and will be supporting the school during this ARISS contact.
 
This will be a Multipoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of Astronaut Steve Bowen, amateur radio call sign KI5BKB. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the telebridge station.
 
The ARISS amateur radio ground station (telebridge station) for this contact is in Greenbelt, Maryland, U.S. The amateur radio volunteer team at the ground station will use the callsign K6DUE, to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
 
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for April 21, 2023 at 1:34:31 pm EDT (VA) (17:34:31 UTC, 12:34 pm CDT, 11:34 am MDT, 10:34 am PDT).
 
The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://division.wmlcps.org (with the stream linked under Upcoming Events) and at https://www.youtube.com/live/sFFmf9e0pZs?feature=share
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. Have you ever thought that you couldn’t make it and almost gave up trying.  What encouraged you to keep going?
2. As a member of the International Space Station, I assume you work for NASA?  Could you tell us your path of working for NASA?
3. How do you cope with the mental and emotional challenges of long-term space travel?
4. What is the training process for becoming an astronaut?
5. Why do you want to be an astronaut?
6. How do you sleep since there is no gravity?
7. How do you eat?
8. How do you take a shower in space?
9. How do you brush your teeth?
10. What happens if you get sick in space?
11. What does it feel like coming back into the earth’s atmosphere?
12. What type of stuff do you do in space?
13. How old were you when you first realized that you wanted to be an astronaut?
14. How long does it take to become an astronaut?
15. How long will you be on the International Space Station and can you return later?
16. What are the hardships of being an astronaut?
17. Have you gone to the back of the moon?
18. How long did it take to get used to no gravity especially when sleeping?
19. How do you get back to earth?
20. What is the bathroom like?
21. Are you able to see the other planets as you orbit the earth?
22. Does the International Space Station have a heater?
23. Is it hot when you’re coming back into the earth’s atmosphere?
24. Is time different in space?

ARISS News Release                                                     No. 23-16

ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at West Michigan Aviation Academy, High School, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

April 18, 2023—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the West Michigan Aviation Academy, High School located in Grand Rapids, MI.  ARISS conducts 60-80 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
 
West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA) is a tuition-free public charter high school that is STEM-focused specializing in aviation and engineering programs for grades 9 through 12.  WMAA opened in 2010 and is located on the campus of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, MI. Part of WMAA’s curriculum includes a pathway to earn a private pilot license, as well as qualifying to take the FAA Licensing Test after completing their Unmanned Aerial Systems (“drone”) courses. Other classes include studies in space exploration and principles of radio communication and include their year-long Aerospace Engineering course. Members of the Lowell Amateur Radio Club are supporting this ARISS contact by helping with radio equipment setup, Amateur satellite practice contacts, and a ham licensing event. 
 
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of Astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi, amateur radio call sign KI5VTV. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
 
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in Grand Rapids, MI. Amateur radio operators using call sign W8ISS, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
 
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for April 20, 2023 at 2:20:54 pm EDT (Grand Rapids) (18:20:54 UTC, 1:20 pm CDT, 12:20 pm MDT, 11:20 am PDT).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. How did you build and maintain the motivation to become an astronaut?
2. What type of clothes and personal belongings do you bring to space and why?
3. What kind of training do you get as an astronaut to mentally prepare you for the challenges of missions in space?
4. What are the hardest adjustments to living in space for long periods of time?
5. How has travelling to space affected your perspective on life and of the planet?
6. Is it possible to get stuck in an open area of the space station where you cannot grab or push against anything to generate a force? If so, how do you get unstuck?
7. Does electricity behave differently in orbit on the space station and does it require any special precautions?
8. How do you deal with human waste and garbage on the space station?
9. What kinds of plant or animal research is being done on the space station?
10. How does the lack of sunlight and gravity affect plant growth on the space station?
11. How do you prevent or respond to serious injuries in space?
12. What personality or leadership traits is the space program looking for in astronaut candidates to be best prepared to go on space missions?
13. How is the mental health of the space station crew monitored?
14. What subjects or lessons from your high school or college education do you apply most often on the space station?       
15. What are some things I can do now, as a high school student, to prepare to become an astronaut?

ARISS News Release                                                   No. 23-15

ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), Dubai, United Arab Emirates

April 15, 2023—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the MBRSC located in Dubai, UAE.  ARISS conducts 60-80 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
 
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is a Dubai government organization working on the UAE space program, which includes various space satellite projects, the Emirates Mars Mission, the Emirates Lunar Mission, and the UAE astronaut program. The MBRSC actively works to promote space science and research in the region with educational programs designed to promote a culture based on discovery and exploration in future generations of all education levels.  MBRSC is hosting this ARISS contact for high school students who will be asking questions in Arabic and/or English.
 
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of Astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi, amateur radio call sign KI5VTV. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
 
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is at MBRSC, Dubai, UAE. Amateur radio operators using call sign A68MBR, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
 
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for April 18, 2023 at 2:43 pm GST (Dubai, UAE) (10:43:28 UTC, 6:43 am EDT, 5:43 am CDT, 4:43 am MDT, 3:43 am PDT).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions (translation):
1. What inspired you to become an astronaut?
2. How did the UAE support your journey to become an astronaut?
3. Can you describe the process of launching into space and how did you feel during it?
4. What do you miss most about earth while being in space?
5. What is the most beautiful view you have seen from space?
6. Can you see any visible changes in the Earth's climate or environment from your point of view?
7. What is the most important lesson you have learned during this space mission so far?
8. How do you deal with the physical and psychological effects of being in space for an extended period of time?
9. How does your experience as an astronaut affect your perspective on life and the world?
10. What kind of experiments or research projects have you conducted so far aboard the International Space Station?
11. What is your favorite space-related activity to do while on the International Space Station?
12. How do you communicate with your fellow astronauts on the International Space Station?
13. What impact do you hope to have as an astronaut and as a representative of the United Arab Emirates?
14. Can you share any memorable experiences or moments you had while in space?

ARISS News Release                                                      No. 23-14

ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Collège Saint-Anatoile, Salins-Les-Bains, France

April 4, 2023—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the Collège Saint-Anatoile, located in Salins-Les-Bains, France.  ARISS conducts 60-80 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
 
Saint Anatoile secondary school is a French private catholic school located in a rural area in the department of Jura (258,000 population), Burgundy, Franche Comté region. In conjunction with hosting this ARISS contact, the school has developed a 2-year "ARISS contact" project to provide students a real opportunity to discover and understand an environment that is unknown to most of them. The objectives of the project are to deepen the scientific and linguistic knowledge of the students through workshops, and various STEM projects incorporated in their curriculum. All students participated in the project (about 100 pupils aged 11 to 14). Supporting this contact are members of the amateur radio club (F6KSD) and radio amateurs of the Assocition Réseau des Emetteurs Français (R.E.F.25) who held workshops for students in grades 6 and 9. These workshops covered topics that included: an introduction to amateur radio, Morse code, Q code, radio directional-finding, rules of communicating on amateur satellites (using satellite QO-100), orbital mechanics, wave propagation, and much more.
 
This will be a telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of Astronaut Steve Bowen, amateur radio call sign KI5BKB. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHZ and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the telebridge station.
 
The ARISS amateur radio ground station (telebridge station) for this contact is in Aartselaar, Belgium. The amateur radio volunteer team at the ground station will use the callsign ON4ISS, to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
 
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for April 7, 2023 at 4:27 pm CEST (France) (14:27:26 UTC, 10:27 am EDT, 9:27 am CDT, 8:27 am MST, 7:27 am PDT).
 
The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://www.youtube.com/embed/live_stream?channel=UCy6st8UemV-88B0PbRlT5sw or the school Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@technofg/streams
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. Can the effects of global warming be seen from the Space Station?
2. Does weightlessness change the way you breathe?
3. Do you plant seeds in order to have vegetables and eat them?
4. Do you still have the notion of time inside the ISS?
5. What did you like the most when you first entered the ISS?
6. Why did you want to become an astronaut?
7. How is it possible to sleep in the space station with weightlessness?
8. Have you discovered anything unusual or strange during your last missions?
9. How can the Space Station supply itself with electricity?
10. How do you feel to be one of the few people to go into space?
11. What do you do with your waste?
12. What do you do if someone gets hurt?
13. What is the interest of weightlessness in your research?
14. What constraints do you encounter when you return to Earth in order to regain a normal life?
15. How long is the air reserve of the spacesuits?
16. How do you cook in space?
17. How did you feel during the take-off of the shuttle?
18. Is it hard to walk when you come back on Earth?
19. What is the best activity you have done in space so far?
20. How do you feel weightlessness now, as you are talking to us?