September 8, 2022–On September 8, 2000, 22 years ago today, the Space Shuttle Atlantis launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, starting the STS-106 Space Shuttle mission. On-board this mission was the ARISS Ericsson radio, a packet module/power supply and other hardware that became our first operational radio system on ISS. Just two months later, on November 13, 2000, the Expedition-1 crew installed this hardware system in the Zarya (FGB module) and operated it for the first time.

On behalf of the international ARISS team, I want to extend our heartiest of congratulations to all in the hardware team that made this radio system a reality!

73 (Best Wishes),

Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair