US astronaut Jeff Williams, KD5TVQ

Jeff Williams talks with Scientific Centre in Kuwait

Wednesday 28 June 2006 at 11:26 UTC, i.e. 14:26 local time, the Scientific Center Kuwait in Salmiyah, Kuwait, established a telebridge contact with US astronaut Jeff Williams, KD5TVQ, on board the International Space Station, via the ARISS Ground Station in Hawaii operated by Nancy Rocheleau, WH6PN. Will Marchant was the moderator of the contact.

The Scientific Center of Kuwait's (TSCK) mission is dedicated to the advancement of the sciences and cultural heritage of Kuwait. The center promotes public awareness, knowledge of and commitment to the care and conservation of the wildlife and ecosystems of the Arabian Gulf region.
The Center is a gift to the nation built by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences and was opened in April 2000. The Scientific center serves as an excellent center for environmental education in the Arabian Gulf region. Visitors can observe natural habitats such as the desert and marine life.

Maryam Aljoaan, 9K2MD

Maryam Aljoaan, 9K2MD, the radio contact coordinator for this ISS contact, decided in favor of a bridge contact. She did a very good job because the students were very well prepared.
The audience in the shack room was about 40 people including the mass media.
It was a historic moment. For the first time the ISS did an ARISS school contact with Kuwait.

At exactly 11:26 UTC, right on schedule, contact with NA1SS was established by WH5PN. Astronaut Jeff Williams answered all the 22 questions on various topics. The astronaut replied for example that they are doing a lot of experiments based on microgravity and that space-walking is one of his favourite activities.

The signal from the ISS was a bit noisy at the beginning, but then clear and loud. Then, after the 22nd question the coordinator Maryam Aljoaan thanked the astronaut for the contact and let him listen to the enthusiastic applause of the audience. And Jeff Williams said Goodbye to Kuwait.

What a success in every aspect!

73, Peter Kofler, IN3GHZ
ARISS mentor

Email: peter.kofler@schule.suedtirol.it

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