ARISS News Release                                                No. 23-45

Tanya C. Anderson joins ARISS-USA Team as Director of Education

August 31, 2023 - Tanya C. Anderson has been selected as Director of Education for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, Inc. (ARISS-USA). Tanya has been a classroom educator for 18 years, the last 16 years teaching middle school science at St. Joan of Arc in Lisle, Illinois. Her science curricula cover earth and space science, life science, and physical science. Her career focus has been curriculum development in various fields of science.
 
In addition to her responsibilities as a middle school educator, Tanya has shown her passion as a results-oriented leader in a myriad of science, technology engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) initiatives such as NASA HEAT 2022 where she helped develop and test science curriculum for teaching heliophysics and system science. She also has served as a team leader in NASA’s Teaching from Space Microgravity Education Program, working with students to create an experiment that was tested on NASA’s microgravity aircraft.  Tanya is also a NASA Airborne Astronomy Ambassador and a Space Foundation International Teacher Liaison.  She received the 2015 Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Educator of the Year. 
 
When informed of her selection, Tanya exclaimed, “I am excited to be a part of the ARISS organization and cannot wait to see what the future holds for amateur radio as commercial space stations are built and lunar exploration evolves. I look forward to sharing my passion for STEAM and space education with other educators while we work together to inspire, engage, and educate the next generation.”
 
Tanya currently holds a Technician Class amateur radio license, with the callsign KD9BQZ, and has attended the ARRL Teacher Institute on Wireless Technology Workshop. In 2014, Ms. Anderson organized and held a successful ARISS contact involving the entire student body at St. Joan of Arc School. For the ARISS contact, she developed an extensive curriculum preparing students for their ham radio connection with Astronaut Alexander Gerst. Her first-ever ham radio contact was with Astronaut Gerst on the ISS. Tanya’s passion for education and ham radio continued outside the classroom as a troop leader for 6 years with the Boy Scouts of America. Tanya used her educational and amateur radio abilities to immerse the scouts in STEAM as well as help facilitate scout participation in Jamboree on the Air and radio merit badge classes.
 
ARISS-USA Executive Director, Frank Bauer remarked on Tanya’s selection, “Competition for this position was extensive and selection was challenging, given the number of truly outstanding candidates. We are thrilled to welcome Tanya to our ARISS leadership team. Her leadership experience, passion and educational prowess will serve ARISS well, guiding our education volunteers and supporting the implementation of the ARISS 2.0 vision--to develop more comprehensive educational outcomes for youth and life-long learners.”   

ARISS News Release                                                           No. 23-43

ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Augusta Preparatory Day School, Augusta, Georgia, USA

August 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 Augusta Preparatory Day School located in Augusta, Georgia.  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.
 
Augusta Preparatory Day School (Augusta Prep) is a non-sectarian independent school located near the Georgia-South Carolina border for students in grades 2 through 12. Hosting this ARISS contact prompted the school to develop numerous cross-curricular classes that include numerous radio and space-related activities (e.g. Future Engineers TechRise Weather Balloon Challenge). A team of middle- and upper-school students are also developing a research proposal for the CubeSat Launch Initiative, with ongoing support from an engineer and a researcher from the Savannah River National Laboratory. The school has also hosted Family Astronomy Night events employing the school’s four telescopes and inviting families to bring their own.
Members of the Amateur Radio Club of Columbia County (ARCCC) are supporting Augusta Prep with this ARISS contact and the school's space and radio-related classes/projects (high-altitude balloon launches, student antenna building, and hidden transmitter or "Fox hunts."). ARCCC hosted Youth Technician Licensing Classes in 2022 and their first VE testing session with future classes planned. Students, as part of their STEM class, are building a ham radio ground station and the AMSAT CubeSat simulator.
 
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 Augusta, GA. Amateur radio operators using call sign K4RGK, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
 
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for August 31, 2023 at 9:51:28 am EDT (GA) (13:51:28 UTC, 8:51 am CDT, 7:51 am MDT, 6:51 am PDT).
 
The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://www.facebook.com/augustaprep
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. Did your training give you an accurate idea of what the real experience of being in space is like, or were there major surprises?
2. What do you think are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about space?
3. When was the last time you used calculus on the station?
4. What are the emotional/mental impacts of being in space for such a long period of time?
5. Has there ever been a moment when the ISS had a technological error or a shortage of supplies? If so, how did you and the crew solve it?
6. What do you think is the most beneficial project you have done as an astronaut?
7. What was your most prominent hesitation when coming on the International Space Station, and how did you overcome that?
8. How do you keep involved and stay in touch with family and friends?
9. What is the most amazing thing you have seen?
10. What personal and mission-driven goals do you hope to achieve?
11. Can you speak to the impact of space debris on future space missions?
12. How is leisure time scheduled and what are you able to do?
13. What do you do if someone has a medical issue on the ISS?
14. What is your most interesting story about space?
15. What personal items can you bring into space, and are there any size and weight limitations?
16. An essential part of your work pertains to communication and video work. What kind of audio-visual training factors into your training?
17. What are your thoughts about space and have you always been interested in space?
18. How does being in outer space affect the celebration of holidays?
19. How did you feel the first time you left the atmosphere?
20. Is there a way to have food or supplies delivered to the ISS?

ARISS News Release                                                           No. 23-42

ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Bowman Middle School, Bakersville, North Carolina USA

August 25, 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 Bowman Middle School located in Bakersville, NC.  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.
 
Bowman Middle School (BMS) is a rural, public school in Bakersville in northwestern North Carolina near the border with Tennessee and in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains within the southern Appalachian Mountain chain.  BMS has approximately 200 students in grades 5 through 8.  In preparation for this ARISS contact, BMS STEM faculty have implemented ISS/Space travel/Satellite related lesson plans. Students studied topics such as wave propagation, doppler effect, gravity, speed of light, speed of sound, and participated in building a scaled lunar module. Throughout the year, students have set up an HF/VHF ham station in the classroom, built wire and directional antennas, and participated in satellite QSOs using an Arrow 2m/432 MHz antenna. Experienced local amateur radio operators are supporting the school during this contact.
 
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of Astronaut Warren Hoburg, amateur radio call sign KB3HTZ. 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 Bakersville, NC. Amateur radio operators using call sign W4GUZ, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
 
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for August 28, 2023 at 10:38 am EDT (NC) (14:38:46 UTC, 9:38 am CDT, 8:38 am MDT, 7:38 am PDT).
 
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. Are you or anyone else up there doing research on any diseases that affect humans?  Are you aware of any research in space that has helped to understand, treat, or cure a disease?
2. How are you trained to respond to a fire on the ISS? How do you get rid of the residual chemicals, materials, and smoke?
3. What is your favorite space-themed movie or show?
4. How long have you been an astronaut and how long have you been on the ISS?
5. Are there ever any climate or weather-related research carried out on the ISS?  If so, what was the focus of the research?
6. How many ham radio operators are currently on board the ISS?  How long have you been a ham radio operator and what do you enjoy about it?
7. Can minor or major surgery ever be performed, if necessary, on the ISS?  What are the procedures medical-related issues among the crew?
8. What is your educational background and field of study?  How do you use this on the mission?
9. What is the typical mission length in months of an ISS astronaut?  How long is the pre-training before this mission and how would you describe the pre-training experience?
10. Being an ISS astronaut has to be the highlight of your career, what do you want to do in the future as far as space research or travel?
11. Who inspired you the most to be where you are today and why?
12. Were there any specific events that you saw that led you to become an astronaut on the ISS?
13. What specific advice would you give to young people today?
14. What activities and food do you miss the most while on this mission?
15. Who was your favorite teacher and what made them special to you?
16. What is the size of the current ISS crew and what nations are represented currently?  Did you have to learn any of the languages of the other astronauts?
17. Can you describe the training you went through in preparing for the return trip to Earth and splashdown?
18. How do you maintain your health and fitness while on the ISS?
19. What advice would you give to a future astronaut about something they should know that the training did not prepare you for, if any?
20. How are the crew and mission of the ISS an instrument of peace and hope in a world full of conflict today?

ARISS News Release                                                       No. 23-41

ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Australian Air League - South Australia Group, Salisbury, South Australia, Australia

August 22, 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 Australian Air League located in Salisbury, SA, Australia.  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 Australian Air League (AAL) is a not-for-profit, civilian operated aviation youth organization in Australia. Its objective is to encourage the spirit of aviation and air-mindedness in the youth of Australia.
The first training Squadron opened at Manly, New South Wales on 17 January 1935 with 30 Cadets aged between 14 and 23 years. The first girls Squadron opened in 1944. The Correspondence Wing commenced in 1941. By 1942, 26,000 boys had been trained in aviation and 125 Squadrons operated in three states. There are around 76 active Squadrons.
 
This ARISS contact event will be hosted at the Australian Space Discovery Centre, where visitors can explore the latest innovations in space technologies. The AAL educational program includes a number of space related courses and activities including Space Flight and Astronomy as well as theory and practical experience in Electronics, Radio Communications and Physics. The Port Adelaide Squadron of the SA Group of the AAL has its own amateur radio call sign VK5AIR and practical activities include providing cadets with the opportunity to use this call sign and establish communications with other amateur radio hams.
 
This will be a telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of Astronaut Warren Hoburg, amateur radio call sign KB3HTZ. 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 Casale Monferrato, Italy. The amateur radio volunteer team at the station will use the callsign IK1SLD, to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for August 25, 2023 at 6:41 pm ACST (Salisbury, AUS) (9:11:46 UTC, 5:11 am EDT, 4:11 am CDT, 3:11 am MDT, 2:11 am PDT).
 
The public is invited to watch the live stream at: Watch for Livestream starting about 15 minutes before AOS at www.ariotti.com
An additional Livestream is available at https://www.facebook.com/AustralianAirLeague/
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. What can you see in space from the ISS that you can't see from earth?
2. How often do cargo missions launch to the ISS?
3. Can you have ice cream in space?
4. How many astronauts go in one rocket trip to the ISS?
5. Is it possible to light a match?
6. How long have you been in space so far?
7. How do you as an astronaut stay fit in space?
8. How long do you spend in space?
9.  What do you like most in space?
10. What do you miss the most on Earth when you are in space?
11. How do you get water in space?
12. What is the longest time anyone has spent in space at once?
13. When is the next major upgrade to the ISS?
14. Have you got any animals on the ISS currently?
15. Do you still feel hungry when you travel in space?
16. What games do you play in your free time?
17. When do you go to sleep?
18. How long do people usually stay up in the ISS at a time?
19. What does the take-off feel like and does it make you feel sick?
20. What do you eat?

ARISS News Release                                                         No. 23-40

ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at STEMforGIRLS, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

August 21, 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 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.  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 program, STEMforGIRLS, engages youth in hands-on learning experiences, provides opportunities to interact with role models, and instills the knowledge and confidence required to make informed career choices in STEM fields. Programming is offered virtually and in-person across the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada to students in junior high and high school. STEMforGIRLS is the charitable arm of Women in Resource Development Corporation (WRDC), a provincial, non-profit organization committed to increasing women's participation in trades and technology. This ARISS contact will be the highlight of the STEMforGIRLS Summer Summit conference, the largest week-long event of the year starting August 21st. Activities and information sessions, leading up to the contact, included virtual interactive workshops with local and international female amateur radio operators and female engineering students, specializing in satellites, from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. Topics included the history of Amateur Radio, an Introduction to amateur radio concepts, career information, and demonstrations. Participants also have an opportunity to pursue an amateur radio license with the help of many of the conference Elmers.
 
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 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 August 23, 2023 at 12:54 pm NDT (St John’s, CAN) (15:24:59 UTC, 11:24 am EDT, 10:24 am CDT, 9:24 am MDT, 8:24 am PDT).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. What was the hardest thing you had to adjust to in space?
2. Have you seen the Aurora Borealis from space? If so, what does it look like?
3. What’s your favorite part about being in the Space Station?
4. What kind of music do you listen to?
5. Did you get to try "space meals" on earth and then when you ate the same prepared space meal in orbit, it was not the same?
6. What is the best memory you will take away from your experience on the ISS?
7. What's something you'll miss about the ISS when you get home?
8. As an astronaut aboard the International Space Station, what is the most awe-inspiring or breathtaking moment you've experienced so far, and how did it make you feel?
9. What should I focus on in high school if I wanted to become an astronaut?
10. What are your favorite foods to eat while in space?
11. What is your favourite pastime on the International Space Station?
12. What are your thoughts on opening up space travel to civilians?
13. What education and training is required to be selected for this role?
14. Do you ever see light from the sun, or is it all artificial light in the space station?
15. What kind of damage can your time in space do to your body?
16. What does it feel like to be in Zero Gravity, is it very different from the training simulation?
17. Can you bring your own things to the space station? If so, was there anything specific you brought?
18. How does the international space station stay powered?