The International Space Station, photographed in December, 2000. Image credit: NASA

ARISS Event - Bradley-Bourbonnais, Illinois

An International Space Station Expedition 12 ARISS school contact has been planned with students at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, Bradley, Illinois USA on Tuesday, 28 March 2006. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:01UTC.

The contact will be direct between stations NA1SS and K9BIG. The contact should be audible to anyone in portions of the central and Northeastern United States. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink.

Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School serves the three adjacent communities of Bradley (Bradley Elementary), Bourbonnais (Bourbonnais Elementary and Maternity BVM), and St. George in the state of Illinois. Located in north-central Illinois, our communities are approximately 60 miles south of Chicago. The school has approximately 1,975 students.

Students at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

1. Have you noticed any changes in the way you dream or the subjects of your dreams in space?
2. What do you think is the biggest misconception people have of living in space?
3. What type of research is being done on the ISS at this time?
4. What might be the hardest thing to do in space that would be considered easy to do on Earth?
5. Do you have to spend much time exercising on the ISS?
6. How is the Space station protected against things like solar storms or meteorites?
7. Are the stars brighter in space?
8. What is the average day like on the ISS?
9. Does the lack of gravity have an adverse effect on your internal organs?
10. How would you describe the experience of leaving the planet?
11. How do you go to the bathroom in space?
12. Can you briefly describe the training it takes to become an astronaut?
13. What is the most unique cosmic event you have ever witnessed?
14. Can you see the Northern lights?
15. What has been your favorite part of the mission thus far?
16. What will you miss most about space when you come back to earth?
17. In the news, there is talk about people vacationing in space. What are your thoughts about this and do you have a recommendation as the best vacation spot?
18. Do you notice improved stamina such as being able to stay awake longer in space?
19. How do you keep clean-- do you take showers?
20. What do you do for entertainment while on board the ISS?
21. How is space station waste disposed of?
22. Is it hard or frustrating to do normal everyday things in 0 gravity?
23. What do you miss most about your life on Earth when you're in space?
24. Is it difficult to sleep in space?
25. How old were you when you realized that you wanted to become an astronaut? What inspired you?
26. Would reproduction be affected by lack of gravity in space?
27. What is the food like in space?
28. Have any dangerous situations arisen on the ISS and if so, how did you deal with it?
29. Can you see hurricanes and other weather phenomena?
30. How long have you been on the ISS? Are you tired of being in tight quarters?

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):
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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