The International Space Station is seen from space shuttle Discovery during the STS-119 mission

Upcoming ARISS contact with WHEELS Idaho Historical Museum (Garfield Elementary), Boise, ID

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at WHEELS Idaho Historical Museum (Garfield Elementary), Boise, Idaho on 24 Sep. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 20:34 UTC.

The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and W6SRJ. The contact should be audible over the west coast of the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English.

The staff and students of Garfield Elementary, in Boise, Idaho, are excited about having the opportunity to communicate with the International Space Station. All grades are involved, and the event has motivated students' interest in math and science. Teachers have been using the event to focus on curriculum objectives.

Preparing for the contact with the space station has been an excellent way to set up students' discussions. Questions from the students have provided opportunities for the teachers to stress the importance of math and science in expanding our knowledge and horizons.

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

1. How are you able to walk on the outside of the space station and not fall off when it is traveling over 17,000 miles per hour?
2. Do you ever get lonely on the space station?
3. Do you throw your waste outside?
4. How long do you stay on the space station?
5. Can you see any manmade objects from the space station?

6. How do you take a shower, brush your teeth and sleep without gravity?
7. How do you handle someone getting upset or homesick?
8. Are there any other life forms in space?
9. How long did it take to build the space station?
10. Is it hard to eat and sleep on the space station?

11. If you stay in space too long will your bones have holes in them?
12. Do you play games on the space station?
13. How do you feel when you return to Earth after living in weightlessness?
14. Does water boil faster in space than it does on Earth?
15. Has anyone been hurt on the space station?
16. Does the building of the space station mean that people will live in space permanently?

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

Next planned event(s):

1. Houya Elementary School, Nishitokyo, Japan,  Sat 26 Sep 09 09:28 UTC

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