Space station tour providing lots of reading time, astronaut tells youngsters

NASA International Space Station Science Officer and astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, told youngsters in Tennessee via Amateur Radio this week that he's been able to read a lot of books during his off-time since arriving aboard the ISS in April. Fincke spoke August 10 with students from Good Shepherd School in Decherd and Saint Paul's School in Tullahoma.

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program arranged the direct contact between NA1SS in space and K4FUN on Earth.

Responding to a question about what he does in his free time and to wind down, Fincke said he's been catching up on his reading - and Expedition 9 still has almost three more months to go.

"We work really hard every day, and I don't have any TV up here - or the Internet - so I read books, and it's really great," Fincke said. He explained that he reads books on his computer, which means he's been able to get current titles uploaded to him during the mission. "So far I've read 30 books aboard the International Space Station."

Two youngsters asked about keeping animals aboard the ISS. "We haven't brought any animals up to the space station," Fincke responded. "I would really like to, because it would be kind of nice to have a pet up here.
But it's also a lot of work - even more than usual - because you'd have to supply oxygen and food and things like that, and it's a lot tougher than it is on the planet."

Fincke also noted that, while he can't surf the Internet from space, he does have e-mail and telephone capability.
He said he speaks with his wife every day from space.

Members of the Middle Tennessee Amateur Radio Society and the Stones River Amateur Radio Club co-operated to set up a station - Field Day style under a tent. The Stones River ARC loaned its K4FUN call sign for the occasion.

Students, parents and members of the news media surrounded the open-air arrangement, some sitting on blankets, others on folding chairs inside the tent. In all, approximately 250 people - including 150 students - were on
hand for the event, which received excellent media coverage.

The youngsters taking part included kindergartners through eighth graders from the two schools. Mike Boyea, KE4KMG, served as the control operator for the approximately 10-minute contact - Tennessee's first ARISS school group
QSO.

Fincke signed off wishing all the students the best. "Study hard, and listen to your parents!" he advised as the space station started to go out of range.

ARISS in an international educational outreach with US participation by ARRL, NASA and AMSAT.

Sorce: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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