Upcoming ARISS ham radio contact with Walnut Creek Elementary School, Azle, Texas

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Walnut Creek Elementary School, Azle, Texas on 29 March.

The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 15:08 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds.

The contact will be direct between NA1SS and WC5C.
The contact should be audible over portions of the middle U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English.

Walnut Creek Elementary, named for a creek that runs through this area, is well known in our state for its excellence in education. Our small, but growing community is tucked away in the northwest corner of Tarrant County close to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. This region has had a long, colorful history full of adventures about frontier life. Cowboys and Indians once traveled the dusty trails though this area.

For Azle, it all started in 1846 when Dr. James Azle Steward moved into a cabin near several local streams. In the past, Azle's economy was based on agriculture. Today, Azle still values the rural life, but it is also known for the pleasures brought by nearby Eagle Mountain Lake and the benefits of being a suburban community. Its citizens support education, sports, and a state-wide renowned high school band. We are very proud of our community and extremely happy to be participating in this event today.

Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:

Timothy J. Creamer KC5WKI

1. What made you want to become an astronaut?
2. What was the hardest part of your training to become an astronaut?
3. Will your trip into space have any long-lasting effects on you?
4. Do you have trouble falling asleep in space?
5. Do family members get to communicate with you on the ISS?

6. My Dad brings me something every time he has to travel away for work, what do you bring your kids or family members?
7. What is the longest time you have been away from your family?
8. What happens when someone celebrates a birthday aboard the ISS?
9. How do you protect your eyes when looking at the sun in space?
10. What is the best thing about your day in space?

11. Thank you for being a great example for me about working hard to reach my dreams. What do you want me to remember about talking with you today?
12. How do you maintain physical strength when you don't need it in a zero gravity environment?
13. What are the best things and worst things you see when you observe Earth from space?
14. How do you continue to get along with each other in such a crowded work place?

15. After you decided to become an astronaut, how long did it take you to get ready?
16. How does having an Amateur Radio License benefit the Astronauts?
17. What would you recommend to a fourth grader who wants to become an astronaut someday?
18. What do astronauts do when they are not busy working in space?
19. What is the favorite food you get to eat on the ISS?
20. Have you ever seen any space junk while you've been in space and was it dangerous for you?

21. If all your gear is made especially for you? What happens to it when you are not going into space anymore?
22. What does going into space teach you?
23. Do plants have any problems growing in space?

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

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,

David - AA4KN