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

Upcoming ARISS contact with
HMS Beagle Project, Paraty, Brazil

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at HMS Beagle Project, Brazil on 22 Sep. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:17 UTC.

The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and K6DUE. The contact should be audible over the east 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 HMS Beagle Project (which aims to sail a rebuilt HMS Beagle 'round the world in Darwin's wake) and NASA have signed an International Space Act Agreement to unite ISS astronaut photography with ocean surface sampling from the new Beagle.

The new Beagle is not yet built but on September 20-23, we will be carrying out a workshop and feasibility study in Paraty, Brazil. The event includes short voyages aboard tall ship Tocorime to coincide with ISS passes on the 20th, 22nd and 24th, a scientific workshop exploring opportunities for modern science under sail, and an educational and media event on the 22nd which will connect 60 children from local Paraty schools via ham radio to Mike Barratt and/or other astronauts aboard the ISS.

We think this is the first time that children from Brazilian public schools (as opposed to private international schools in Brazil) will have been connected with the ISS.
The children will be connected from a pavilion in Paraty, within sight of the Tocorime at anchor.

Michael Barratt, KD5MIJ

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

1. We would like to know how is the day by day life on the International Space Station?

2. We have some questions about environment and biodiversity. How do Nasa's researchers study global warming?

3. If carbon dioxide emissions are kept at their current levels until the  end of this century, what could be the consequences to our planet?

4. What do you think about pre-salt petroleum extraction and how this can interfere with the environment?

5. According to your research, what is your bigger concern related to the preservation of Amazonian biodiversity?

6. What is your concern related to the impact of nuclear energy to the environment?

7. Now we would like to make questions about other planets. How does Nasa study the terrain on Mars?

8. Does water exist on other planets and what is the importance of this discovery?

9. How do you see the Moon and the Sun from the International Space Station?

10. Do you think that within some years it will be possible to live in other planets?

11. And we would like to make some general questions. Why did the swimsuits developed by NASA make the athletes so much faster?

12 From the International Space Station is it possible to observe the Great Wall of China and other wonders of the world, natural or created by mankind?

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

Next planned event(s):

1. Cedarview Middle School, Ottawa, ON, Canada, Thu 24 Sep 09 19:07 UTC

2. WHEELS Idaho Historical Museum (Garfield Elementary), Boise, ID  Thu 24 Sep 09 20:34 UTC

3. 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 and 73,

David - AA4KN