Image above: The International Space Station is viewed from space shuttle Endeavour after undocking. The newly attached Japanese pressurized logistics module rests atop the Harmony Node

ARISS event - Los Padres Council Troop 105, Santa Barbara

An International Space Station Expedition 17 ARISS school contact has been planned with participants from the Los Padres Council Troop 105, Santa Barbara, CA on 19 August. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 1538 UTC.

The contact will be a direct between stations NA1SS and K6TZ. The contact should be audible over western North America. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The participants are expected to conduct the conversation in English.

Troop 105 is based in Goleta, California. We were founded in 1967 and have provided the scouting experience to our boys for over 40 years. We belong to the South Coast District of the Los Padres Council. Our monthly program includes weekly meetings and monthly outings. We participate in the annual district Camporee and attend a week long summer camp. We also perform service for our community and our sponsor, St. Raphael Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Scouting is a program that builds character, leadership, and values through fun, friendship, skills' instruction, competition, and service.

Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

1. What is your favorite experiment on the space station?
2. What kind of computer do you have available to use on the space station?
3. How long do plants live in a space environment?
4. Can you tell us what weightlessness is like?
5. What does the food taste like?

6. What kind of shapes can you make with liquids in weightlessness?
7. How much sleep do you get?
8. What do you do when you get bored?
9. How did scouting help you in your career?
10. How often do supplies come?

US astronaut Greg Chamitoff KD5PKZ will speak to the Scouts from space

11. How often are new components added to the space station?
12. How do you do your laundry?
13. What is your favorite: being an astronaut or your other interests?
14. How much time do you get to yourself?
15. What is your favorite aspect of scouting?

16. At what age did you first want to be an astronaut?
17. What is the most difficult task you have to do on the space station?
18. Tell us about the view of Earth.
19. Do you ever get afraid of heights?
20. Do you ever see any other satellites or space junk during your orbits?

Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be found at http://www.ariss.org/upcoming.htm#NextContact . Packet is transmitted on 145.825 simplex.

Next planned event(s):
Schulehaus Feld 1, Richterswil, CH-8805, Switzerland, Sat 2008-08-30 13:50 UTC

ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participating countries.

ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers on-board the International Space Station.

Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crewmembers on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning.

Further information on the ARISS program is available on the website http://www.ariss.org/ (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada).

Thank you & 73,

Kenneth - N5VHO

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