Senegalese television (RTS) filming the event

Successful ARISS contact with school in Senegal

On Friday, October 23, 2009 at 10:20 UTC, ISS Commander Frank De Winne answered questions from students in College IV Mbour, Senegal.

In the college Science Club meeting room, the audience held their breath when Jan Francois 6W7RV started calling "OR4ISS, OR4ISS here is 6V7SPACE from Senegal".

Immediately, Frank de Winne ON1DWN answered the call and the students began asking their questions. 20 questions were answered during an 8 minute long Space Talk which the college students will never forget.

Authorities, journalists and the Senegalese television (RTS) were impressed by this first direct ARISS contact in central Africa. The event was broadcast in the evening news and again at midnight on the RTS network.

Jan Francois 6W7RV and his team had installed VHF tracking antennas on the roof of the Science Club and the radio station did an excellent job.
Alassane 6W1QR had carefully prepared the students. Daniel 6W7RP supervised the organisation. Congratulations for this successful event.

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 onboard 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.

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Gaston Bertels - ON4WF
ARISS Chairman