CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Education notified educational institutions around that state of a program that allows amateur radio hosts to contact astronauts aboard the International Space Station on Monday, Nov. 25.
“The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station Program is seeking education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an amateur radio contact with a crew member on board the International Space Station (ISS),” the WDE said. “Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates, but the contact will likely be held between July 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.”
The deadline to apply for the program is Saturday, Nov. 30.
“Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts,” ARISS says. “These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.”
“Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio.”
The program gives amateur radio hosts the chance to interview astronauts or cosmonauts about what living and working is like in space. They can also ask about research being conducted on the ISS.
“Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science,” NASA adds. “Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.”
