Astronaut William S. McArthur KC5ACR, Expedition 12 commander and NASA Space Station Science Officer, will answer students' questions from space today

ARISS Events - Rutigliano, Italy and Calgary, Alberta, Canada Tuesday

International Space Station Expedition 12 ARISS school contacts have been planned with students at Circolo Didattico Statale (G.Settanni), Rutigliano, Italy and Sir James Lougheed Elementary School, Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Tuesday, 21 March 2006. The events are scheduled to begin at approximately at 13:54 and 18:17 UTC respectively.

The first contact will be direct between stations NA1SS and IZ7EVR. The second contact will also be direct between stations NA1SS and VE6AFO. The Italy contact should be audible to anyone in Europe and the Calgary contact should be audible to anyone in Western and central Canada plus portions of the northern USA. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink.

This radio contact is an activity of two elementary schools (pupils´ age 6 to 11) and one middle school (pupils´ age 11 to 14) in Rutigliano, the elementary schools "1°Circolo didattico Giuseppe Settanni" (500 pupils) and "2°Circolo didattico Aldo Moro" (475 pupils) and the middle school
"Alessandro Manzoni" (615 pupils).

Principessa Elettra Marconi, the daughter of Guglielmo Marconi, will probably be present at the contact. Rutigliano, called "city of red soil", is located 8km from the Adriatic Sea, near the city of Bari in South-east Italy. Because of the fertile soil, agriculture is very important for the economy of the area, above all the production of grapes and wine.

Students at Circolo Didattico Statale will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

1. How long does it take from Earth to the orbit?
2. Is it difficult to get used to zero gravity?
3. How do you feel in space?
4. At what age did you discover your passion for space?
5. How many antennas are mounted on the ISS?
6. Which studies are necessary to become an astronaut?
7. What were the main scientific experiments during Expedition 12?
8. What happens if an astronaut gets seriously ill in space?
9. Is there any danger for the ISS module to be hit by Space debris?
10. How long can a human being stay in orbit?
11. Can the ISS provide a mayor help in case of a meteorite impact on Earth?
12. How are the daily astronauts´ duties organized on the ISS?
13. What do you think about extraterrestrial life in the universe?
14. What are you seeing at this moment when you look outside the ISS?
15. What did you miss most from Earth during the mission?
16. Can you observe terrestrial phenomena from the ISS?
17. What do you think about future projects of living on the moon?
18. What systems do you use for communicating with the Earth?
19. Do the astronauts do any training in Star City before their launch?
20. What astronomical events did you see during this mission in space?

Sir James Lougheed has 107 students in Kindergarten through Grade 6. Our school motto is Learn, Love, Laugh and our mascot is the bear. We are a Circle of Courage school emphasizing the values of Belonging, Generosity. Mastery and Independence in all actions.

Students at Sir James Lougheed Elementary School will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

1. What does earth look like from outer space and what landmarks can you see when you look at the earth?
2. Why do we need the space station?
3. How do you get back home and how long does it take?
4. What happens if one of the crew becomes sick on the Space Station?
5. What can you do from space to warn people about hurricanes and other bad weather so we can avoid the New Orleans disaster in the future?
6. What has been the most unexpected thing about being in the space station?
7. Do you think there will be space travel for lots of people (like there are airplanes now) during my lifetime?
8. How many rooms are in the space station - Do you have any privacy?
9. Do you recycle in the space station? If not, what do you do with waste?
10. What does it feel like to float?
11. How long did you spend in school studying to be an astronaut and what kind of training do you need?
12. How do you brush your teeth in space?
13. What time do you go to sleep and does someone fill in for you while you sleep?
14. What is the most interesting thing you've seen?
15. If you weren't making a living as an astronaut, what would you be doing to make a living?
16. How do you and the Russian Astronauts communicate?
17. How does your space suit keep you warm on a space walk?
18. What do you do if you feel homesick?
19. What do you do for fun on the space station?
20. Do you feel scared when you go so high up into space?
21. What color are the stars?

Please note, the amateur radio equipment on the ISS will be turned off prior to the contact. It will be returned to regular amateur radio operations as soon as possible afterwards. Information about the next scheduled ARISS contact
can be found at http://www.rac.ca/ariss/upcoming.htm#NextContact.

Next planned event(s):
Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, Bradley, Illinois, Tue 2006-03-28 18:01 UTC
Briar Hill Primary School, Briar Hill, Australia, Fri 2006-03-31 08:59 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.rac.ca/ariss (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada).

Thank you & 73,
Kenneth - N5VHO

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