French astronaut Leopold Eyharts, FX0STD

ARISS contact with Reunion Island a success

On Monday, 25 February 2008 at 14:44 UTC contact was established between the ISS and College Jules Reydellet, Saint-Denis, Ile de La Reunion, in the Indian Ocean.

It was a direct contact of ham radio ground station FR5CY/P with Leopold Eyharts FX0STD on the ISS.

About 50 students, comprising the junior members of College’s radioclub FR5KJ and cinema workshop, participated to the event, together with 10 teachers and several VIP such as the Regional Director of Research and Technology (DRRT), ) Colleges and Schools Supervisor and Heads of educational institutions as well as many parents.

Several media covered the event : RFO Radio, TV Antenne-Reunion (correspondent of TF1, France’s national TV) and private broadcasters such as Festival. Local newspapers “ Le Quotidien" and "Le Journal de l'ile" reported the space talk.

Four radio amateurs were involved in the technical setup and transmission of signals via Skype to Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI who broadcast the audio over EchoLink.

Presently, the youngsters are preparing their report to Jean Paul Marodon, FR5CY Principal of the College, now retired.

Congratulations to Jean Paul and his crew.

Pictures of the meeting will archived at
www.ariss-eu.org/archive.htm

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Gaston Bertels, ON4WF
ARISS-Europe chairman