As of February 21, 2025
- Royal Moroccan Air Academy, Marrakech, Morocco, direct via CN8ERA (Sunita Williams KD5PLB)
- Contact is go for: Fri 2025-02-21 11:12:20 UTC 72 deg
ARISS News Release No. 25-11 – reissue
This updated release has been issued following a change in astronauts from Don Pettit to Sunita Williams.
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Royal Moroccan Air Academy, Marrakech, Morocco
February 20, 2025—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the Royal Moroccan Air Academy, located in Marrakech, Morocco. ARISS conducts 60-100 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
The Royal Air School (ERA) of Marrakech is dedicated to the training of pilot officers and engineers of the Moroccan Air Force. Founded in 1970, it plays a key role in the development of the air forces of the Kingdom of Morocco. The school trains officers in the fields of military aviation, including piloting, command or technical and strategic management missions and prepares engineers specializing in aeronautical systems. ERA collaborates with other international academies and air forces to share knowledge and adopt best practices in the field.
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Sunita Williams, amateur radio call sign KD5PLB. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in Marrakech, Morocco. Amateur radio operators using call sign CN8ERA, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for February 21, 2025 at 12:12 pm WEST (Morocco) (11:12:20 UTC, 6:12 am EST, 5:12 am CST, 4:12 am MST, 3:12 am PST).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. How do you sleep in zero gravity?
2. What do you eat and how are meals prepared on the ISS?
3. What is the hardest thing to do in space due to weightlessness?
4. How do you maintain your physical condition on board?
5. How do you manage your personal hygiene, such as taking a shower or brushing your teeth?
6. How do you deal with feelings of isolation or distance from loved ones?
7. What is the biggest difference between living on Earth and in space?
8. What types of hobbies or entertainment do you have on the ISS?
9. How do you celebrate special events, like birthdays or holidays?
10. Have you ever had arguments or tensions with your colleagues on board? If so, how do you resolve them?
11. What are the most interesting scientific projects you are currently working on?
12. How do you collect and store data for zero gravity experiments?
13. What was the most surprising discovery or experiment made on board the ISS?
14. How does microgravity affect materials or living organisms in your experiments?
15. What tools or technologies do you use to conduct your research?
16. How is the ISS supplied with oxygen, water and energy?
17. What are the biggest challenges in maintaining the ISS?
18. What is the procedure to follow in the event of a technical problem or emergency, such as a leak?
19. How are spacewalks (EVA) planned and executed?
20. What do you think is the next step for space exploration after the ISS?
ARISS News Release No. 25-10 – reissue
This updated release has been issued following changes dealing with questions 6, 12
and 18.
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Woodward Mill Elementary School, Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA
February 19, 2025—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the Woodward Mill Elementary School located in Lawrenceville, GA. ARISS conducts 60-100 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
Woodward Mill Elementary School is a public school in Gwinnett County, northeast of Atlanta, Georgia with about 1,100 students in Pre-K through fifth grade. Students participate in ongoing STEM learning as they complete hands-on tasks utilizing the ‘Engineering Design Model’ and ‘Design Thinking’ Process. STEM is integrated into the school’s core content. Students also are learning STEM in their LEGO Robotics club, STEM Night for families/community members, and STEM-related field trips, both in person and virtually. To prepare for this ARISS contact, students have been conducting research, reading a wide variety of space-related texts, and tracking the ISS using Geochron.
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Don Pettit, amateur radio call sign KD5MDT. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Amateur radio operators using call sign K4RGK, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for February 20, 2025 at 11:37:28 am EST (GA, USA) (16:37:28 UTC, 10:37 am CST, 9:37 am MST, 8:37 am PST). The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://www.youtube.com/live/NfxlSEUOg6A https://live.ariss.org/
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. When astronauts are sleeping, is there any sensation of lying down?
2. What is the best part of your job, and why do you like it?
3. Once you return from space, do you feel any differences between being in space and back on Earth?
4. Have you ever done a spacewalk, and if so, what was it like?
5. What do you do for fun in space?
6. What has surprised you the most from flying in space?
7. How hard is the training to become an astronaut?
8. How do you produce drinkable water in space?
9. How does using ham radio make your experience better on the International Space Station?
10. How does it feel not to hear daily noises like traffic, horns honking, birds chirping, and other regular sounds?
11. How is your physical and mental health when you come back from space?
12. What’s the coolest thing you’ve seen while flying in space?
13. How often do you conduct a science experiment in space?
14. How do the astronauts get oxygen on the International Space Station?
15. Have you found any souvenirs to bring back to Earth? If so, can you tell us about it?
16. How do you celebrate holidays or birthdays in space?
17. How do you keep track of the time and day of the week?
18. I know that there is an observation dome that has to face Earth. How do you keep that facing Earth?
19. What personal items do you bring with you to the ISS to make you feel better?
20. What have you learned from some of the astronauts that you’ve worked with in space?
ARISS News Release No. 25-09
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at City of Clifton Arts Center & Sculpture Park, Clifton, New Jersey, USA
February 10, 2025—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the City of Clifton Arts Center & Sculpture Park located in Clifton, NJ. ARISS conducts 60-100 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
Clifton Arts Center & Sculpture Park is a cultural hub and creative sanctuary for the community and is hosting this ARISS contact for students from various schools in the Clifton community and surrounding area. The Center also hosts diverse exhibitions, workshops, and events that showcase both local and international artists, fostering artistic expression and cultural exchange. The Fair Lawn Amateur Radio Club (W2NPT) is supporting the Center during this ARISS contact.
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Don Pettit, amateur radio call sign KD5MDT. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in Clifton, NJ. Amateur radio operators using call sign W2NPT, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for February 12, 2025 at 1:14 pm EST (New Jersey, USA) (18:14 UTC, 12:14 pm CST, 11:14 am MST, 10:14 am PST).
The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://youtube.com/live/2gZ-R_ToJTE and https://live.ariss.org/
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. How does the unique perspective of seeing Earth from space influence your appreciation for art, creativity, or beauty, and do you ever feel inspired to create art while aboard the ISS?
2. Are there any moments in space that have given you a greater appreciation for Earth or humanity as a whole?
3. What do you miss the most about life on Earth, and how do you cope with that?
4. Can you share a moment on the ISS that brought you and your crew closer together as a team?
5. How do you celebrate personal milestones or special occasions like birthdays in space?
6. What are some of the biggest challenges to maintaining your physical health in microgravity, and how do you overcome them?
7. What adjustments have you made to your sleep routines to adapt to life in space?
8. What’s the weirdest space food combo you’ve ever had that actually tasted good?
9. What message of hope would you share with students dreaming of exploring space one day?
10. Can you share a time when teamwork on the ISS helped you achieve something incredible?
11. What lessons from space travel do you think can inspire us to solve challenges on Earth?
12. What do you believe is the next major breakthrough or discovery that could change humanity’s understanding of the universe?
13. Can you describe how living in space has changed your perspective?
14. What is the most challenging aspect of living in space?
15. How do you keep track of time while living in space?
16. Do you have daily responsibilities while in space? If so, what they are?
17. How and what types of personal belongings can you bring with you on the International Space Station?
18. What’s one item you brought with you that has the most sentimental value, and can you tell us the story behind it?
19. When did your interest with space begin, and who or what inspired you to pursue this space exploration?
20. How do you communicate with family and friends while living in space?
ARISS News Release No. 25-08
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Public Primary School, La Laupie, France
February 5, 2025—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the La Laupie School located in La Laupie, France. ARISS conducts 60-100 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
La Laupie School is in the Drome department, in the South of France, 10 kilometers from Montélimar, with 72 pupils, ages 3 to 10 years. With help from an Amateur Radio Association, students have participated in different projects, which included, among others, launching of a stratospheric balloon in 2017 and direct satellite communication with scientists from the Crozet Archipelago, on the Antarctic Continent, in February 2023.
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Don Pettit, amateur radio call sign KD5MDT. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in La Laupie, France. Amateur radio operators using call sign F5KLF, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for February 7, 2025 at 3:27 pm CET (France) (14:27 UTC, 9:27 am EST, 8:27 am CST, 7:27 am MST, 6:27 am PST).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. Do you work during the day and sleep at night?
2. What do you do when you are sick?
3. Do you have desks in the ISS?
4. How do you get supplies on the ISS?
5. How do you wash your laundry?
6. Is your spacesuit heavy?
7. What do you eat in the ISS?
8. Do you often go outside of the ISS?
9. Are the other astronauts considered your friends?
10. What is the temperature on the ISS?
11. How does it feel to live without gravity?
12. What sensations do you feel when you could walk again on Earth?
13. On what are you working at the moment? What kind of research?
14. What kind of sensations do you feel when you lift-off? When you land?
15. Do you have electricity on the ISS?
16. Do you have a cuddly toy or blanket to sleep with?
17. Do you have any hobbies? Games, books, television or music?
18. Does the food taste good on the ISS?
19. Is it difficult to sleep in space?
ARISS News Release No. 25-06
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Kyoto Municipal Shimogamo Junior High School, Kyoto-city, Japan
January 27, 2025—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at Kyoto Municipal Shimogamo J.H. School located in Kyoto-city, Japan. ARISS conducts 60-100 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
Shimogamo Junior High School, established in 1949, has about 450 students and about 50 teachers/ staff. Their Science and Technology Club has an amateur radio station with the call sign JL3ZPU. Students learn about science and technology through the year by making solar cars and using their astronomical telescope to observe the stars. All club members are encouraged to obtain an Amateur Radio license.
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Nick Hague, amateur radio call sign KG5TMV. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in Kyoto-city, Japan. Amateur radio operators using call sign JL3ZPU, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for January 29, 2025 at 7:47:52 pm JST (Japan) (10:47:52 UTC, 5:47 am EST, 4:47 am CST, 3:47 am MST, 2:47 am PST).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. How long have you been in the ISS? And how long have you trained as an astronaut?
2. Can you see the Great Wall of China from the ISS?
3. Can plankton that live in water reproduce the same way in space?
4. How do you sleep in the ISS?
5. What is your favorite food on space?
6. Since you became an astronaut, how have you changed yourself?
7. How much money did it cost to build the Space Station?
8. What was your first impression when you arrived at the space station?
ARISS News Release No. 25-05
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Pine View School, Osprey, Florida, USA
January 26, 2025—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at Pine View School located in Osprey, Florida. ARISS conducts 60-100 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
Pine View School for the Gifted, established in 1969, is a public school located in Sarasota, Florida, dedicated to serving intellectually gifted students in grades 2 through 12. Pine View offers a challenging and enriched academic program which includes their STEM program. With this ARISS contact, the school hopes to expand the student’s engagement with STEM, particularly in the realms of Space and Earth Sciences. Members of the Tamiami Amateur Radio club (W4AC) are supporting the school for this contact.
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Sunita Williams, amateur radio call sign KD5PLB. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in Osprey, FL. Amateur radio operators using call sign W4AC, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for January 28, 2025 at 12:21:48 pm EST (Florida, USA) (17:21:48 UTC, 11:21 am CST, 10:21 am MST, 9:21 am PST).
The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://www.youtube.com/@SarasotaSchools and https://www.facebook.com/sarasotaschools
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. Can you explain how microgravity affects the human body when first arriving at the space station?
2. Can you describe your experience during a rocket launch, and what physical sensations you feel?
3. Can you tell us about one of the experiments you’re currently working on?
4. What is the biggest sleep challenge astronauts experience in space, and what are scientists doing to address it?
5. How do you prepare meals and what’s your favorite space food?
6. How do you use HAM RADIO aboard the ISS?
7. What inspired you to pursue a career as an astronaut?
8. How does being in space influence your thoughts on humanity’s future in space exploration?
9. How do you perform repairs on the exterior of the ISS?
10. How do you stay in touch with your family and friends?
11. How do you collaborate on the experiments with astronauts from other countries aboard the ISS?
12. Do you ever get afraid during your mission and how you overcome it?
13. How do you stay physically and mentally fit during space missions?
14. What advice would you give aspiring astronauts?
15. What’s the most surprising thing you learned during astronaut training?
16. How do the plants you grow aboard the space station adapt to the microgravity environment, and what challenges do you face in cultivating them?
17. What’s your favorite part of daily life in microgravity?
18. What is the best moment you had in space?
ARISS News Release No. 25-04 – Reissue
This is an updated release with information about ground station call sign OM25ISS. Please note that it is not a University Club call sign as posted in the initial release, but is instead a special call sign celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Stefanik mission.
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at University of Prešov, Prešov, Slovakia
January 24, 2025—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the University of Prešov located in Prešov, Slovakia. ARISS conducts 60-100 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
The University of Prešov (UNIPO) is a public, self-governing institution engaged in creative scientific, educational, artistic, and cultural activities. UNIPO offers programs that include the arts, humanities, theology, management, education, healthcare, and the natural sciences, which includes the Department of Physics, Mathematics, and Technologies. The University will host this ARISS contact allowing their own university students to ask questions as well as scouts and students from four local elementary and high schools. The ARISS contact is facilitated in collaboration with two amateur radio clubs: OM3RLL and OM3VSZ. Radio operators will use call sign OM25ISS, that was released in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Stefanik mission and will be dedicated to this educational contact with the ISS crew
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Sunita Williams, amateur radio call sign KD5PLB. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in Prešov, Slovakia. Amateur radio operators using call sign OM25ISS, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for January 25, 2025 at 4:21 pm CET (Slovakia) (15:21:17 UTC, 10:21 am EST, 9:21 am CST, 8:21 am MST, 7:21 am PST).
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View contact via live stream at https://www.youtube.com/@om25iss
As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned about yourself in space?
2. How do you cope with boredom on long missions?
3. If you could bring one item from Earth on the ISS, what would it be?
4. Is it true that Astronauts on the ISS need to know how to speak Russian, how to swim, and how to make origami?
5. How do you perceive gravity in space?
6. What’s your favorite way to spend free time on the ISS?
7. What’s the most surprising part of living in close quarters with the same people for months?
8. If you are in a space suit, and have an itch, how do you scratch yourself?
9. How do you measure weight in space?
10. What’s the most challenging part of communicating with Earth while in orbit?
11. If you could send a message to everyone on Earth, what would it be?
12. How do you prepare for emergencies, like a fire or air leak, on the ISS?
13. What’s the most fascinating thing you’ve learned about the universe in space?
14. How do you keep track of time with 16 sunrises and sunsets every day?
15. What’s the most fun or creative thing you’ve done using microgravity?
ARISS News Release No. 25-04
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at University of Prešov, Prešov, Slovakia
January 23, 2025—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the University of Prešov located in Prešov, Slovakia. ARISS conducts 60-100 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
The University of Prešov (UNIPO) is a public, self-governing institution engaged in creative scientific, educational, artistic, and cultural activities. UNIPO offers programs that include the arts, humanities, theology, management, education, healthcare, and the natural sciences, which includes the Department of Physics, Mathematics, and Technologies. The University will host this ARISS contact allowing their own university students to ask questions as well as scouts and students from four local elementary and high schools. The ARISS contact is facilitated in collaboration with two amateur radio clubs: OM3RLL and OM3VSZ. Radio operators will use the University club call sign OM25ISS for this contact.
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Sunita Williams, amateur radio call sign KD5PLB. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the relay ground station.
The amateur radio ground station for this contact is in Prešov, Slovakia. Amateur radio operators using call sign OM25ISS, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for January 25, 2025 at 4:21 pm CET (Slovakia) (15:21:17 UTC, 10:21 am EST, 9:21 am CST, 8:21 am MST, 7:21 am PST).
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View contact via live stream at https://www.youtube.com/@om25iss
As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned about yourself in space?
2. How do you cope with boredom on long missions?
3. If you could bring one item from Earth on the ISS, what would it be?
4. Is it true that Astronauts on the ISS need to know how to speak Russian, how to swim, and how to make origami?
5. How do you perceive gravity in space?
6. What’s your favorite way to spend free time on the ISS?
7. What’s the most surprising part of living in close quarters with the same people for months?
8. If you are in a space suit, and have an itch, how do you scratch yourself?
9. How do you measure weight in space?
10. What’s the most challenging part of communicating with Earth while in orbit?
11. If you could send a message to everyone on Earth, what would it be?
12. How do you prepare for emergencies, like a fire or air leak, on the ISS?
13. What’s the most fascinating thing you’ve learned about the universe in space?
14. How do you keep track of time with 16 sunrises and sunsets every day?
15. What’s the most fun or creative thing you’ve done using microgravity?
ARISS News Release No. 25-03
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Federal Telecommunications Institute and Vermont School, Mexico City, Mexico
January 14, 2025—Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) has received schedule confirmation for an ARISS radio contact between an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and students at the Vermont School located in Mexico City, Mexico. ARISS conducts 60-100 of these special amateur radio contacts each year between students around the globe and crew members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.
Vermont School teaches Junior and High School level students English, French, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Their goal is to offer holistic education based on UNESCO’s action frameworks, promoting life transformation, peace, sustainable development, and equal opportunities for all. Their programs also emphasize critical thinking, self-sufficiency, and adaptability.
This will be a telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Nick Hague, amateur radio call sign KG5TMV. The downlink frequency for this contact is 145.800 MHz and may be heard by listeners that are within the ISS-footprint that also encompasses the telebridge station.
The ARISS amateur radio ground station (telebridge station) for this contact is in Casale Monferrato, Italy. The amateur radio volunteer team at the ground station will use the call sign, IK1SLD to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for January 17, 2025 at 11:00 am CST (Mexico City, MX) (17:00:18 UTC, 12:00 pm EST, 10:00 am MST, 9:00 am PST).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. What steps did you take to become an astronaut and to travel to space?
2. What did you find challenging in your training?
3. What roles do astronauts perform on the ISS?
4. What kind of food do you typically eat in a day on the ISS?
5. What happens to the liquids in the body when there is no gravity?
6. How often do you get sick while in space, and how do you undergo medical check-ups?
7. Does time feel like it passes faster or slower when you are in space?
8. How does the silence of space compare to the quietest moments you experience on Earth?
9. How did your training help you achieve mission success on the ISS?
10. What is the most impressive thing you have ever seen in space?
11. Is it possible to observe Earth rotation on its axis or its orbit around the Sun from space?
12. What has been the greatest challenge of living and working in space, and how did you overcome it?
13. What research are you currently conducting in your lab?
14. What crops have you been able to grow on the ISS so far?
15. How are you preparing for deep space exploration missions of the future?
16. If you could go back in time five years, what would you change and why?
17. What is the next step you aim to take in your career?
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