Astronaut calls on township youngsters

New Jersey's Independent Press has an excellent article by Mike Neavill on the recent ISS contact with the Summer Playground Camp in Berkeley Heights.

In his article, Mike writes:

Circling the earth every 90 minutes at an altitude of about 350 miles and at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) paid a "call" on township youngsters.

Last week, as part of the township's Summer Playground Camp, nine youngsters had the opportunity to address questions to astronaut Greg Chamitoff as the ISS passed over Berkeley Heights.

The window was short -- only about 10 minutes -- but captured the dreams, imagination and curiosity of more than 130 youngsters, parents and a township official.

The conversation with the astronaut was enabled through the ham radio services of the New Providence Amateur Radio Club (NPARC) and the Berkeley Heights Recreation Commission.

Local resident Barry Cohen, a member of NPARC, served as a knowledgeable and enthusiastic host as he outlined the events that would follow.

Utilizing a computer system projected on a screen at the rotunda at the lower Columbia Middle School Field, Mr. Cohen tracked the travel of the ISS as it swept over the Gulf of Mexico heading northeast to Berkeley Heights.

"The ISS is now over San Antonio, Texas, and should arrive in our footprint in minutes," Mr. Cohen told the audience as excitement and anticipation steadily swelled. He turned on the speaker, which was filled with static noise, and explained the ISS was still out of radio range, but contact was only seconds away.

Nine youngsters, seated around rectangular tables facing the audience, sat with eyes wide open, anxiously awaiting contact as the crowd noise diminished.

Finally, the moment arrived: "Hello, Berkeley Heights this is astronaut Greg Chamitoff aboard the International Space Station." Cheers, applause and broad smiles quickly followed.

You can read Mike's article in full at:
http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2008/09/
astronaut_calls_on_township_yo.html