As of April 22, 2025
Oakwood High School, Morgan Hill, CA, direct via KK6OAK (Jonathan Kim KJ5HKP)
Contact is go for: Fri 2025-04-25 17:22:58 UTC 58 deg
Watch for Livestream at www.visitoakwood.com/space and also at https://live.ariss/org
Pan American International School, Luque, Paraguay, direct via ZP5DBI (Jonathan (Jonny) Kim KJ5HKP)
Contact is go for: Fri 2025-05-02 13:47:15 UTC 56 deg
Wireless Institute of Australia AGM and Technical Expo, Bayswater, Victoria, Australia, telebridge via K6DUE) (Takaya Onishi KF5LKS)
Contact is go for: Sat 2025-05-03 11:06:00 UTC 63 deg)
ARISS News Release No. 25-22 ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Kars on the Rideau School, Kars, Ontario, Canada
April 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 Kars on the Rideau School located in Kars, Ontario, Canada. 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.
Kars on the Rideau Public school is an elementary school located in the rural village of Kars, Ontario, Canada, along the scenic Rideau River. The school with over 600 students was established September 1, 1975, and offers a wide range of learning experiences that reflect its rural heritage and neighborhood.
This will be a telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Nichole Ayers, amateur radio call sign KJ5GWI. 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 Hollis, New Hampshire, U.S. The amateur radio volunteer team at the ground station will use the callsign AB1OC, to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for April 22, 2025 at 9:28 am EDT (Kars, Ontario, Canada) (13:28 UTC, 8:28 am CDT, 7:28 am MDT, 6:28 am PDT).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. What do you do if there is a fire?
2. Are you scared before you go into space?
3. Who inspired you to be an astronaut?
4. What is the coolest thing you’ve seen in space?
5. What was your favorite memory in space?
6. What was your first feeling when you saw earth from space?
7. How do you get into the space station from the space shuttle?
8. When you go to space, if it takes three years will it feel like it took that long?
9. What is the scariest thing that has happened in space?
10. What is the longest time you’ve spent in space?
11. Is there a maximum age you can be to go to space?
12. Have you ever questioned your desire to be an astronaut?
13. What does burger paste taste like?
14. Is there toffee in space?
15. Do your ears pop when you land?
16. Have you ever wanted to do a space walk?
ARISS News Release No. 25-21 ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Participants at Karabaglar Municipality Nasreddin Hodja Child Culture and Science Center, Izmir, Turkey
April 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 participants at the Karabaglar Municipality Nasreddin Hodja Child Culture and Science Center located in Izmir, Turkey. 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.
Karabaglar Municipality Nasreddin Hodja Children’s Culture and Science Center (Center) was established in 2022 and hosted 20,000 visitors in its first year. In the ‘Space and Aviation Exhibition’ section of the Center, models and interactive devices can be used to learn about the Solar System, the phases of the Moon, the Apollo missions and includes an ISS simulator. In the ‘Experiment Stations’ section, there are experimental setups prepared according to the secondary school science curriculum. The Center offers workshops on astronomy, science, experimentation, robotic coding, English and art. These workshops can be attended by students aged 5 and above. The Center also offers day and night observations with telescopes to the public free of charge. On special days and holidays, science-filled activities that are both instructive and entertaining are organized for children.
This will be a telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Takaya Onishi, amateur radio call sign KF5LKS. 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 April 22, 2025 at 11:50 am EEST (Izmir, Turkey) (8:50:43 UTC, 4:50 am EDT, 3:50 am CDT, 2:50 am MDT, 1:50 am PDT).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. How was your first night in space, were you able to sleep?
2. Why did you become an astronaut? What was most challenging while training?
3. What is your favorite film, TV series or book about space?
4. Have you ever witnessed a solar flare? Can you look at the Sun without a filter?
5. What is the longest time a person can live in zero gravity?
6. Have you seen a meteor shower in space?
7. I want to be an astronaut. What do I have to do?
8. What does space smell like?
9. How did you train for your mission?
10. Is space junk visible?
11. How do you feel in space without gravity and atmosphere?
12. When you return to Earth, what will you miss most from space?
13. Does food taste different in space compared to Earth?
14. What is your favorite thing to do in space?
15. What happens if someone gets sick in space?
16. Is time in space different from time on Earth?
17. Can microbes and viruses live aboard the ISS?
18: What was your biggest fear about living in space and how do you deal with it?
19. Do you see air pollution from space?
20. Does it get cold in space?
ARISS News Release No. 25-20 ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Participants from the Pan-African Citizen Science e-lab in more than 50 countries in Africa
April 15, 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 participants that are part of the Pan-African Citizen Science e-lab. 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 hosting organization, Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) (in partnership with the African Astronomical Society (AFAS)), is a nonprofit online educational platform dedicated to promoting STEM education through hands-on activities in astronomy and space science across Africa. Participants that are engaged in PACS e-Lab programs includes over a thousand individuals from various educational levels, ranging from secondary schools to tertiary institutions (ages 12 years and older), and are located in more than 50 countries in Africa. PACS e-Lab is the largest initiative of its kind on the continent, actively involving African teachers, students, and space enthusiasts in citizen science activities. The audience for the ARISS contact event will include the entire PACS e-Lab community across Africa, the AFAS community, and other stakeholders interested in STEM education.
This will be a telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Nichole Ayers, amateur radio call sign KJ5GWI. 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 April 18, 2025 at 11:26 am WAT (Abuja, Nigeria) (10:26 UTC, 6:26 am EDT, 5:26 am CDT, 4:26 am MDT, 3:26 am PDT).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. How does light pollution affect your view of Earth from space?
2. What do you do for fun on the ISS?
3. How do you drink water in space?
4. How does being in space affect your mental health?
5. What is the most important experiment happening on the ISS at the moment?
6. Will humans ever travel across the stars?
7. What inspired you to become an astronaut, and what steps should a young, ambitious person from Africa take to become an astronaut?
8. Has the ISS ever been impacted by space debris?
9. Do stars look different from space compared to how we see them on Earth?
10. How do astronauts sleep aboard the ISS?
11. What is the one thing you personally find fascinating about this job?
12. How do astronauts maintain connections with their families and loved ones during extended missions aboard the ISS?
13. How has the Overview Effect shaped your daily life on the ISS?
14. What experiment, mission, or project are you currently working on aboard the ISS?
15. How do astronauts withstand radiation and cosmic particles on the ISS?
16. How do you deal with solar storms on the ISS?
17. Do Microorganisms survive outside surfaces of the ISS?
18. When the ISS is decommissioned in 2030, will there be a new one?
19. Could you mention some impact of ISS research on humanity?
20. What does space smell like?
21. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve seen from the ISS?
22. Have you ever felt fear in space? How do you stay focused and manage it emotionally?
23. What is the fate of the ISS? Will it be sunk in the Atlantic Ocean, or will another one be built?
24. How does microgravity affect your sense of taste on the ISS?
25. Does microgravity affect problem-solving in physics and engineering?
26. How do you wash your clothes in space?
27. How can space-based muscle growth studies help treat muscle diseases on Earth?
28. How does prolonged isolation in space affect your perception of time? Have you noticed some changes in your sense of time compared to Earth?
29. How does hygiene on the ISS impact skin and breathing?
30. How do you determine directions on the ISS? Is it similar to how we do on Earth?
31. How do astronauts cope with space fog?
ARISS News Release No. 25-19 ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Magnet Innovation Center, Inlet Beach, Florida, USA
April 15, 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 Magnet Innovation Center, located in Inlet Beach, FL. 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 Magnet Innovation Center is the newest public high school in Walton County School District and provides a STEAM program of study in the fields of biomedical science, computer science, digital design, engineering, fine arts through theatre, and game design. For the last year, students have had the opportunity to research space exploration in preparation for this ARISS contact. Students in the school’s Wireless Technology Club are involved in amateur radio, building and installing ham radio equipment and pursuing their own amateur radio licenses. The entire school will be in attendance for this contact, while the local elementary and middle schools will be watching via livestream.
This will be a telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Nichole Ayers, amateur radio call sign KJ5GWI. 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 Hollis, New Hampshire, U.S. The amateur radio volunteer team at the ground station will use the callsign AB1OC, to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for April 17, 2025 at 10:52 am CDT (Inlet Beach) (15:52 UTC, 11:52 am EDT, 9:52 am MDT, 8:52 am PDT).
The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://youtube.com/live/98VFp-vyBgs?feature=share
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. Do training regimens differ for shorter missions compared to extended missions?
2. How do you think space travel and exploration will further humankind?
3. How long does it take to readjust to Earth’s gravitational force when you return home?
4. What ongoing research aboard the ISS is being conducted that could speak to terraforming Mars or increasing the likelihood of habitability on another planet?
5. How did you feel when you saw the Earth from space for the first time?
6. Why is space exploration important?
7. How do you cope with the isolation and confinement of space, and how has it affected you mentally, physically, and emotionally?
8. What bacteria can live in the biome of Mars or other planets being considered for future human habitation, and what makes them able to do so?
9. Can you view cosmic phenomena in outer space that is impossible to see from Earth; if so, how has it shaped your view of the universe?
10. Can launch vehicle emissions affect the Earth’s atmosphere and space? If so, what is being done to mitigate that?
11. Have you ever seen something in space that you can’t explain?
12. Is the construct of time different or perceived differently in space given the 16 daily passes across all time zones on Earth an astronaut may experience on any given day aboard the ISS; if so, how, and does it impact your circadian rhythm?
13. Are rigorous medical examinations completed for all astronauts before being sent into space to reduce the likelihood of contamination of communicable disease; do all astronauts from various countries on the ISS submit to a similar standard battery of medical exams to screen for and prevent the spread of communicable disease?
14. How have advances in computer vision algorithms for navigation and structural systems protecting space vehicles from extreme temperatures improved the spaceflight experience?
15. What is the most exciting or awe-inspiring moment you have experienced in space?
16. How are operations for future crewed lunar missions progressing?
17. What do you love most about space?
18. Besides rehydrating food, what are other ways to prepare food in space?
19. What preparation did you undergo to become an astronaut?
20. In what ways does the design of the rocket affect its aerodynamics?
21. What is your exercise regimen in space?
22. In the 21st-century, to what extent did virtual reality play a role in your training to become an astronaut?
23. What was the best moment you’ve experienced during your time as an astronaut?
24. How do you receive medical attention while in space?
25. What is the most trivial thing you miss about being on Earth?
26. If you had the ability to create artificial gravity inside the ISS, would you want it, or would you rather stay in zero gravity floating; why?
27. Do you grow plants on the ISS; if so, how?
28. What is your primary research objective on this mission?
ARISS News Release No. 25-18 Lincoln Magnet School Moved Forward in ARISS Selection Process
April 15, 2025 – Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the US schools/host organizations newly selected for 2025 ARISS contacts. One of the submitted proposals during the recent proposal window was accepted to move forward in the processes of planning to host a scheduled amateur radio contact with crew on the ISS. The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) activities and raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities.
The ARISS program anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for Lincoln Magnet School, in Springfield, Illinois during the July 2025 through December 2025 time period. The school is now at work starting to implement their 4–6-month education plan which was outlined in their proposal. These STEAM based educational activities help prepare students for their contact as well as create an on-going exploration and interest in aerospace and amateur radio topics. They are also completing an acceptable equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by ARISS, the school will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities offered by NASA.
ARISS News Release No. 25-16
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Université de Namur asbl, Namur, Belgium
March 31, 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 Université de Namur asbl located in Namur, Belgium. 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 Namur offers a wide range of academic programs and is located in the heart of the Walloon capital in Belgium. First-year science students act as ambassadors for rendering science accessible to all by reaching out to high school students and demonstrating that science can be fun. As part of a popular science competition designed by their English lecturers, 18-year-old students were challenged to create a two-minute video explaining a scientific concept related to space, aimed at 16- to 17-year-olds. More than 300 pairs of first-year students took part in the competition. A multidisciplinary jury selected seven finalist teams, who then had the opportunity to refine their work in a professional studio, coached by camera operators, science communicators, and English lecturers.
An online vote was organized, allowing high school students to choose their favorite videos. The three winning pairs showed the courage to step out of their comfort zone and engage with a lay audience, proving that science can be fun, useful, and inspiring. As a reward, they will spend time in a space park, experiencing simulated microgravity conditions similar to those on the ISS. They will also have the unique opportunity to ask these questions during this ARISS contact.
This will be a telebridge 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 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 April 2, 2025 at 5:11 pm CEST (Belgium) (15:11 UTC, 11:11 am EDT, 10:11 am CDT, 9:11 am MDT, 8:11 am PDT).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. What advice would you give to young girls who dream of working in space exploration?
2. What was your academic path, and what personal initiatives did you take to achieve your goal?
3. How does the absence of gravity truly affect your perception of time and space on a daily basis?
4. How do you manage your food stock? Do you grow your own food in the ISS?
5. Can you describe how it feels to eat in space and how different is it from eating on Earth?
6. Do you ever get bored in the ISS? And if so, what do you do?
7. What are the most surprising mental challenges you’ve encountered in space?
8. What were the scientific goals of your latest mission in space and what practical applications has it had for humankind?
9. Do you work on designing tools that can counter cosmic radiation?
10. Will there be another project to replace the ISS, and what will be its purpose?
11. What’s the hardest thing to do in microgravity conditions?
12. What’s something that is surprisingly easier to do in microgravity than on Earth?
13. Can you briefly describe a typical day in the ISS?
14. How has seeing Earth from space changed your perspective on life?
15. Do we know of the existence of a planet with liquid water on its surface?
16. How important is mastering English for an astronaut?
ARISS News Release No. 25-15
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Sayama Technical High School, Sayama, Japan
Month 31, 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 Sayama Technical High School, located in Sayama, 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.
Sayama Technical High School has three departments: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics Engineering. Members of Sayama Technical High School radio club (JA1YUT) are supporting this ARISS contact, and providing guidance on communication methods. Students participating in this radio contact include those at the high school as well elementary and junior high school students.
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Takaya Onishi, amateur radio call sign KF5LKS. 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 Sayama, Japan. Amateur radio operators using call sign JA1YUT, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for April 2, 2025 at 6:07 pm JST (Sayama, Japan) (9:07:21 UTC, 5:07 am EDT, 4:07 am CDT, 3:07 am MDT, 2:07 am PDT).
Translated:
School Information:
学校概要
狭山工業高校は、機械科、電気科そして電子機械科の3学科があります。今回の交信メンバーは、これらの生徒の内無線部（JA1YUT)のメンバーと近隣の小中学生で構成されています。小中学生に関しては、無線部のメンバーが、交信の方法等の手ほどきを行い、交信に備えてきました。
Students First Names & Questions:
質問リスト
1. 近藤 省吾（17）ISS内の電気配線などはどのように配線されていますか？
2．今井 力輝（17）どんな勉強をすれば、宇宙飛行士になれますか？
3．島﨑 弘規（17）地球から飛び立って、無重量になった瞬間はどんな感覚だったか？
4．白井 優心（17）無重力で、一番辛い姿勢は？
5．瀧上 徠斗（17）ISSでの排泄物の処理方法を、教えて下さい。
6．長沢 風芽（17）ISS内でお湯を沸かすことは可能か？
7．藤波 祐也（17）宇宙飛行士に向いている人は、どんな人物か？
8．増岡 夢月（17）宇宙は、どんな景色ですか？
9．田口 翔 （16） ISSで宇宙食以外食べる物はあるか？
10．杠葉 一輝（16）宇宙ではお風呂はどうしていますか？
11．樋口 直希（17）宇宙では、どのように寝ているのか？そしてどれくらい睡眠をとっているのか？
12．友山 直洋（15）宇宙に行って考え方はどのように変わりましたか？
13．陣内 大貴（13）国際宇宙ステーションの窓の外にはどんな景色が広がっていますか？
14．笠原 義陽（13）ISSで生活していて楽しいことは何ですか？
15．佐藤 悠乃（10）宇宙ステーションのなかは酔いますか？
16．川越 菜々（10）私は、青くて綺麗な海王星が一番好きですが、好きな惑星や行ってみたい惑星はありますか？
17．高山 咲弥（10）自分がSUPER HEROだったら宇宙でどんな活動をしたいですか！
As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. How are electrical wires arranged inside the ISS?
2. What kind of studies should we do to become an astronaut?
3. How did it feel the moment you became weightless after leaving Earth?
4. What is the most uncomfortable posture in zero gravity?
5. How do you handle waste disposal on the ISS?
6. Is it possible to boil water on the ISS?
7. What kind of person is best suited to be an astronaut?
8. What does space look like?
9. Besides space food, is there anything else you can eat on the ISS?
10. How do you take a bath in space?
11. How do you sleep in space and for how many hours each day?
12. How has living in space changed your way of thinking?
13. What does the view look like outside the ISS windows?
14. What is the most exciting thing about living on the ISS?
15. Do you get motion sickness inside the space station?
16. My favorite planet is the beautiful blue Neptune. Do you have a favorite planet or one you would like to visit?
17. If you were a SUPER HERO, what kind of work would you like to do in space?
ARISS News Release No. 25-14
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Lakeside Junior High School, Springdale, Arkansas, USA
March 29, 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 Lakeside Junior High School located in Springdale, AR, USA. 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.
Lakeside Jr. High School serves 8th and 9th graders and Sonora Elementary serves students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, both are in the Springdale School District. Both Schools serve about 600 kids and the school district itself has more than 20,000 students.
The students leading this ARISS contact are in a program called EAST, Education Accelerated by Service and Technology. EAST allows students to explore their passions paired with technology and community service. Students have 3D-mapped caves, created weather apps, made videos, and 3d-printed a prosthetic leg.
This will be a direct contact via Amateur Radio allowing students to ask their questions of astronaut Nichole Ayers, amateur radio call sign KJ5GWI. 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 Springdale, AR. Amateur radio operators using call sign KJ5ANC, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for March 31, 2025 at 1:05 pm CDT (AR, USA) (18:05:26 UTC, 2:05 pm EDT, 12:05 pm MDT, 11:05 am PDT).
The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://www.youtube.com/@SpringdaleSchoolsTV, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6O9pbMAP0E, and https://live.ariss.org/
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. Growing up, how did STEM programs in your schools help you on your road to becoming an astronaut?
2. What is your favorite experiment that you’ve done in Space?
3. What was one part of living on the ISS that astronaut training could never fully prepare you for?
4. What is a spacewalk like?
5. How does being in space influence creativity, and have you or your fellow astronauts engaged in any artistic activities, like drawing, music, or storytelling?
6. What will you do when you return to Earth?
7. Can you describe a time when you had to solve an unexpected problem on the ISS using creativity and teamwork?
8. Have you seen or heard anything weird and/or unexplainable in space?
9. How does being in space and working closely with an international crew affect the way you view the world?
10. How often do you encounter space debris and what happens when you do?
11. Does being in micro-gravity for long periods affect how you see the size or scale of objects, and does that change when you return to Earth?
12. This semester, I was part of the NASA HUNCH Astronaut Culinary Challenge. Have you created any innovative recipes to improve the taste of space food?
13. Have you lost anything in the ISS?
14. After working out for 2+ hours on the ISS, how do you recover or relax in space?
15. What preparations are taken right before a launch?
16. When you leave the space station, what will you miss?
17. Based on what you’ve learned from living on the ISS, what do you think will be the biggest challenge when humans attempt to live on Mars?
18. What advice would you give to a student who wants to work for NASA or be an Astronaut?
19. Are there any specific clothing requirements while on the ISS?
20. What new technology onboard the ISS has had the biggest impact on daily life or research in recent years?
ARISS News Release No. 25-13
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Yonezawa 5th Junior High School, Yonezawa, Japan
March 25, 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 Yonezawa 5th Junior High School located in Yonezawa, 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.
Yonezawa 5th Junior High School is a public school with about 200 students in Yamagata Prefecture, located in the Tohoku region of Japan. The school will be closing this March due to its merger and subsequent move to another school in the area. Culmination of the students’ school experience at Yonezawa JHS (after also learning about the ISS, space exploration and amateur radio) will be 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 Yonezawa, Japan. Amateur radio operators using call sign 8N7Y5JH, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for March 28, 2025 at 6:56 pm JST (Yonezawa, Japan) (9:56 UTC, 5:56 am EDT, 4:56 am CDT, 3:56 am MDT, 2:56 am PDT).
The public is invited to watch the live stream at: https://www.youtube.com/live/V2bcwHEEigY
_______________________________
As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. When painting a picture of the space, I often use black or navy blue, but what color does it actually appear?
2. Is the view from the space station different in the morning, afternoon, and night?
3. What is the most fun thing about living on the space station?
4. What do you do during your free time?
5. Do you get motion sickness in space and what remedies do you have when you get sick in space?
6. Has your way of thinking and living changed since becoming an astronaut?
7. Is there an expiration date for space food? How long does it last?
8. I hear that bones and muscles weaken in space stations. How is this measured, and what is being done to prevent it?
9. What happens to tears if you cry in a space station?
10. What is the toilet like on the space station? And how is the waste managed?
11. What kind of study and training did you do to become an astronaut?
12. Why doesn’t the space station collide with other satellites?
13. Have you ever felt scared in space? When was that?
14. What was the most beautiful sight you saw from the space station?
15. Can you see how a season changes on the Earth from space? For example, can you see snow?
ARISS News Release No. 25-12
ARISS Contact is Scheduled with Students at Canadian Elementary School Maple Bear, Sofia, Bulgaria
March 21, 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 Maple Bear Elementary School located in Sofia, Bulgaria. 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.
Maple Bear Sofia School, established in 2020 in Sofia, Bulgaria, is part of the global Maple Bear network, which encompasses over 400 schools across 39 countries, serving more than 60,000 students. The school follows a hybrid curriculum, combining the Maple Bear curriculum—developed by over 200 education experts in Canada and regularly updated with the latest research in education—and the local Bulgarian curriculum, which is taught during the other half of the school day. Maple Bear school serves about 250 students with more than 180 actively participating in STEM activities. STEM activities are integrated in their curriculum starting at 2nd grade and extending through their 7th grade. Students have access to their STEM center which serves as a hub for innovative hands-on learning and cutting-edge research opportunities. Maple Bear Elementary School has partnered with the amateur radio club (LZ1KRN) and the Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs (BFRA) for 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 Sofia, Bulgaria. Amateur radio operators using call sign LZ1KRN, will operate the ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.
The ARISS radio contact is scheduled for March 24, 2025 at 4:23:27 pm EET (Bulgaria) (14:23:27 UTC, 10:23 am EDT, 9:23 am CDT, 8:23 am MDT, 7:23 am PDT).
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As time allows, students will ask these questions:
1. I heard you do experiments with fish in aquariums. What happens to them because of gravity?
2. Where do you keep your ice cream?
3. What do you do in your free time on the International Space Station?
4. Which subject in school helped you the most to become an astronaut?
5. What is the most interesting experiment you have conducted on the International Space Station?
6. Have you seen something that nobody else has seen?
7. How do you sleep in space?
8. How many years did you train to go to the ISS?
9. How powerful is the engine of your spacecraft?
10. Does your voice sound the same in space as it does here?
11. Did you find space interesting as a child?
12. What was the most interesting thing you learned during your training? And how long did you train?
13. What kind of physical challenges did you have to overcome on Earth to prepare for space?
14. How do you have access to electricity and wi-fi?
15. What is the strangest thing you’ve seen orbiting the Earth?
16. Does time feel like it passes by faster in space?
17. What is the furthest you would want to go in space?
18. What does the ISS smell like?
19. Does every spacecraft fly out of NASA?
20. Is there trash in space, where does it accumulate, and how much is there?
21. What do you drink there?
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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