The International Space Station

For the first time, Welsh school students talk to astronauts in orbit on the International Space Station

Students from Tregaron Secondary School, Wales, ask the astronauts questions about life in space

Students, teachers and parents will be gathered at Tregaron Secondary School in Wales on Thursday, 29 September 2005 to have the unique experience of talking to the astronauts as they orbit the Earth.

Passing at 400km above the school in space and travelling at 26,000km/h, the students will ask their questions and they will receive live answers from the astronauts themselves on board the International Space Station.

The opportunity to speak to the astronauts is organised by the ARISS organization together with NASA, and the equipment is prepared and operated by Amateur Radio enthusiasts.

Chris Greenfield, Head of Science at Tregaron Secondary School, was the catalyst for the contact with the astronauts. He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to be inspired by the concept of space and adds another dimension to Science education. This is a historic event in a futuristic setting!”

Howard Long of ARISS said: “This is the chance of a lifetime for the students to speak to the astronauts in their working environment. Perhaps it will sow a seed in their hearts to consider space, science and telecommunications as an exciting career path. You never know, we might have the next Helen Sharman or Michael Foale sitting here right with us!”.

• The questions the school children will ask the astronauts
• Watch Live - Video Streaming of the event
• Listen Live - ISS Amateur Radio frequencies

• The primary goal of ARISS is as an educational tool, promoting space and science in the classroom. In addition, ARISS provides backup emergency communications for the ISS crew as well as day-to-day contact for the crew to talk to their families on Earth.

• ARISS is funded by the space agencies as well as donations derived from national Amateur Radio groups and Amateur Satellite (AMSAT) special interest groups worldwide.

• Four million Amateur (or ‘Ham’) Radio operators worldwide enjoy a global friendship through their pastime. The Amateur Radio Service is recognized by governments and international regulatory bodies and must obtain technical qualifications in order to be granted a government issued license and unique callsign.

• Very recently Amateur Radio operators have been at the forefront of disaster relief operations providing vital life saving emergency communications such as the Asian tsunami and hurricane Katrina when conventional communications infrastructure failed.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

ARISS-EU and AMSAT-UK,
Howard Long (+44) (0)771 076 3670
g6lvb@amsat.org
ARISS-EU, Gaston Bertels
gaston.bertels@skynet.be
AMSAT-UK, office (+44) (0)1258 453959
g3wgm@amsat.org

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