Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI

ARISS co-ordinator receives NASA award

Hearty congratulations to Australia's ARISS Coordinator Tony VK5ZAI who has just received recognition from NASA in the form of a Group Achievement Award for outstanding engineering support in facilitating amateur radio communications with orbiting space stations.

The award, just received from the Johnson Space Centre, was signed by Michael Coats.

When we asked Tony about the award, the ever humble VK5ZAI said he didn't know that he really deserved it and went on to say "like all of us I guess, I'm just enjoying the hobby and like giving back a little of what others have given me over the years. I didn't really expect any award for it.
I think the most rewarding part is to see the excitement on students faces when they first hear the Crew on the ISS reply to an ARISS call."

Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI's ARISS Satellite Ground Station in Kingston SE. South Australia

Jim Linton continues "Tony VK5ZAI has for more than 15 years given many schools and groups the opportunity to talk with space station crew. A notable occasion was the Australian Scout Jamboree in January 2007 as part of the world scouting movement's centenary.

His involvement began in 1993 by assisting South Australia's Loxton High School students talk with Cosmonaut Alex Serabrov on the MIR space station.

In 1998 Tony handled most of the communications between Australian-born Astronaut Andy Thomas VK5MIR and his family during his flight on MIR.

Computer controlled tracking Antennas

Soon after he was invited to be one of nine-approved ARISS telebridge stations and began handling most of the private family contacts for the first three crews on the International Space Station, along with school contacts.

Tony has been involved in linking with school in many countries, and the development of IRLP and EchoLink for ARISS contacts, plus the design of interface units used for ARISS telebridge contacts in Australia and Europe.

Tony's enthusiasm and dedication, motivated by a personal desire to put something back into amateur radio, is well deserving of accolade from NASA."

Well done Tony and truly congratulations again on an award well deserved!

Jim Linton

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

Visit Tony's website and find out more about his station, the ARISS program and the man himself