Image above: The International Space Station is viewed from space shuttle Endeavour after undocking

ARISS event - 1 Circolo Didattico G.Marconi, Casamassima, Italy

An International Space Station Expedition 18 ARISS school contact has been planned with participants at the 1 Circolo Didattico G.Marconi, Casamassima, Italy on 25 February.
The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 0750 UTC.

The contact will be a direct between stations NA1SS and IZ7EVR. The contact should be audible over most of Europe. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The participants are expected to conduct the conversation in English.

The II° Didactic Center "Marconi" in Casamassima di Bari (BA) includes one Primary School and two Nursery Schools. We have more than 800 pupils and a teaching staff composed by 70 teachers, directed by the headmaster, Mrs. Rita Rosaria Gagliardi. Our Primary School have multimedia and scientific laboratories, while our pupils have an active role in a number of projects, which make them experience Science, Music, Dance, Theatre, Physical Education and more.

The participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

1. How do you feel when you live without the force of gravity?
2. How do you behave in case of emergency?
3. What happens if there are some problems on board of the Shuttle in the launch phase?
4. Is it difficult to build the ISS in orbit?
5. What happens if a meteorite hits the ISS?

6. What training do you accomplish before a mission into Space?
7. Is it easy to pilot the Space Shuttle?
8. What are the risks of a human mission to Mars in the future?
9. Are there any projects for future missions to the Moon?
10. Can you sleep without difficulty in these small spaces?

11. When had you got the passion for Space?
12. What were your studies to become an astronaut?
13. Where do you store the ISS' waste?
14. How do you provide the ISS with oxygen?
15. What kind of spaceships will be used on future Moon missions?

16. What is the most difficult situation you have to face?
17. How do you react if you discover an unidentified flying object in Space?
18. Is the return to Earth phase more difficult than the launch phase?
19. Is it possible to become ill on board of the ISS?
20. How do you communicate with your relatives?
21. How do you feel when your Shuttle launch is postponed?

Information about the upcoming ARISS contacts can be found at http://www.ariss.org/upcoming.htm#NextContact .

Next planned event(s):

Hampton Bays Middle School, Hampton Bays, New York, Wed 2009-02-25 13:57 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