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NASA astronaut
Sunita Williams, KD5PLB |
Glenden State School ARISS Link-up
Nineteen students from Glenden State School,
Glenden Queensland had a successful direct Amateur Radio on the International
Space Station (ARISS) contact with NASA astronaut, flight engineer Sunita
Williams, KD5PLB, the morning of Thursday April 5, 2007.
The direct contact was the culmination of about 9 months of planning.
The School applied to participate in the ARISS program in early July of
last year and received notification of the upcoming contact only two weeks
prior to the event.
Technical preparations for the contact began the Sunday before the event.
Shane, VK4KHZ installed his satellite tracking antennae and associated
Amateur Radio equipment at the Glenden Recreation Centre, where the event
was held. The entire student population of 230, along with 25 staff members,
was present. It is estimated that another 150 others were on hand to hear
the contact.
Leading up to the contact, Shane explained to the attentive audience what
they were about to observe. Tony, VK5ZAI, the ARISS coordinator for Australia,
spoke over a speaker phone and opened the proceedings officially.
Contact with the ISS was made at precisely 8:42am local time, with Sunita
Williams coming in loud and clear over Shane’s radio. The students
managed to get answers to 17 of the 19 questions, taking just over 10
minutes, until the contact ceased. All in the audience were amazed to
hear Sunita’s voice so clearly and were impressed by her obvious
enthusiasm while talking to the students. She has inspired
quite a few students to pursue a career as astronauts and to find out
more about Amateur Radio!
A local news crew was there to film the event, and two radio interviews
with teachers and students were held, one before the contact and one immediately
after. Another local radio station was publicising the event for the week
prior to the contact.
At the conclusion of the contact it was clear that all in attendance were
truly amazed at the Amateur Radio experience they had just witnessed.
When the crowd dispersed a lone figure wandered toward the equipment and
asked Shane the question..."why do they call this amateur
radio, it doesn't look too amateurish to me"
If any listeners are interested in arranging an ARISS contact with their
local school please contact Tony, VK5ZAI the Australian Coordinator for
ARISS for details.
Source: Wireless
Institute of Australia
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