Sandringham students talk to Tim Peake GB1SS using amateur radio – BBC TV screenshot
The BBC report Sandringham School in St Albans has made history by making the first amateur radio call from the UK to a British astronaut on the space station.
Year 10 pupil Jessica Leigh M6LPJ, who has recently passed her amateur radio exam, led the contact.
Headteacher Alan Gray G4DJX with Jessica Leigh M6LPJ – Image Credit Sandringham School
The BBC story says: It took a few minutes for the crackle and hiss to die down and allow the students to put some questions to the astronaut, before the ISS then went over the horizon and out of range.
Jessica called it an “amazing experience” to be talking to someone 400 km above them, but said the significance of the day’s event had yet to sink in: “When I get home, I’ll be completely in shock.”
Her head teacher, Alan Gray G4DJX, said it had been an extraordinary opportunity for the school.
“It’s a way of inspiring young people into science and technology – seeing the opportunities that may be available to them,” he told BBC School Report.
“What you’re seeing is that space has an awful lot to offer. It’s not just about talking to Tim Peake on the space station. There are many other things that are useful for young people and will help with their learning.”
Watch the BBC TV news report at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35261160
Watch the BBC Science News interview with Year 10 pupil Jessica Leigh M6LPJ about the Tim Peake GB1SS contact https://twitter.com/BBCScienceNews/status/685396737842753536
Watch the BBC TV report on the preparations for the contact http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/35251991
Sandringham students speak to Tim Peake GB1SS
http://amsat-uk.org/2016/01/08/sandringham-students-speak-to-tim-peake-gb1ss/
What is Amateur Radio? http://www.essexham.co.uk/what-is-amateur-radio
Find an amateur radio training course near you https://thersgb.org/services/coursefinder/
