About the University School ARISS Contact

 

Students at University School’s Shaker Campus talked live, in real time, to an astronaut on board the International Space Station on Friday, March 16, 2007. The contact, via amateur radio, lasted approximately 9 minutes and took place during a special student assembly in the school’s Conway Hall auditorium.

 

Twelve students were selected to ask questions of astronaut Sunita Williams, a native of Euclid, Ohio. Ms. Williams chose University School to participate in the contact as part of the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) program. She recently set several records including the most hours of spacewalking by a female astronaut.

 

The school needed to utilize highly sophisticated radio equipment for this event since the space station travels at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour and is above the horizon for only about 10 minutes. Special directional antennas, on loan from NASA Glenn’s amateur radio club, were installed on the roof of Conway Hall to tack the Space Station across the sky.

 

University School’s space science program is among the best in the region, offering students opportunities that go well beyond the usual classroom work. The school has been operating space shuttle simulations since 1989 using a permanent full size replica of the mid and flight decks of the space shuttle. The facility also includes a mission control area, a replica of part of the International Space Station, and an FAA certified flight simulator.

 

 

What is Amateur Radio?

 

Amateur radio, often called Ham radio, is a hobby and public service enjoyed by about six million people throughout the world. An amateur radio operator, also known as a ham or radio amateur, uses advanced radio equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation, and self-training.

 

Amateur radio operators have personal wireless communications with friends, family members, and even complete strangers, and often support their communities with emergency and disaster communications while increasing their personal knowledge of electronics and radio theory.

 

The birth of amateur radio, and radio in general, was mostly associated with various amateur experimenters. Throughout its history, amateur radio enthusiasts have made significant contributions to science, engineering, industry, and social services. Research by amateur radio operators has founded new industries, built economies, empowered nations, and saved lives in times of emergency.

 

 

What is ARISS?

 

ARISS, (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) is a program that offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers of the ISS (International Space Station). Teachers, parents and communities will see how Amateur Radio can energize youngsters about science, technology, and learning.