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On March 16, 2007 at 11:45am students at University School talked with
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams of the Expedition
14 crew
, on the International
Space Station
via amateur radio for about 9 minutes. This was
possible through the . ARISS -
Amateur Radio on ISS - program
. Several hams and members
of the NASA Glenn Amateur Radio Club:
- Nancy, KC4IYD
- Al, KB8MTZ
- Mike, N8PJD
- Glenn, AF8C
- Tom, N8EFO
were responsible in helping the students make this
successful contact or providing assistance in the auditorium.
Additional support was provided by Charlie Lownes, University School parent who arranged
the contact with Sunita Williams; Jim
Fitzgerald, Aerospace Education Specialist who provided an overview about
NASA missions to the students; Glenn Lindamood,
NASA Glenn engineer who provided technical support during the contact;
and Ken Kane, Gilmour Academy teacher who also provided technical
support.
Twelve
students were selected to ask astronaut Sunita
Williams their questions. Each
student was able to ask at least one of their questions to astronaut
Williams during the 9 minute pass before contact was lost.
Special
thanks to Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, the ARISS
mentor who helped the NGARC make this 3rd ISS contact also a success, and
to Eddie Stevens, KD8FTS, and to Steve Michalski,
KB9UPS, AMSAT area coordinator.
Background:
This activity was initiated by Glenn Amateur Radio club members and University School teacher and summer NASA
faculty Robert Morgan, and NASA faculty.
NGARC had said we would provide any help the school needed. Around
Oct. 2006, we were told that a contact with ISS would take place with
Expedition 14. Since that time, several members of the ham club worked
with the school in updating their application form, gathering equipment,
visiting the schools to find the optimum place to put up the antennas and
radio equipment and explaining to the staff and teachers what would
happen during the event.
The
students came up with a list of questions and the teachers narrowed down
the list of questions. In the end, everyone was happy we made a
successful contact. Photos of the event are available at
http://us-ariss.clevelandcomputer.com
Return to NA8SA home page.
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ARISS
activity with 