Even before a dozen third, fourth and fifth graders got to speak via ham radio April 8 with the International Space Station, Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology in Moorpark, California, was a beehive of activity and excitement.
Flory science teacher Pat Bachamp says everyone pitched in beforehand to help make the QSO a memorable educational experience, and more than 700 turned out at the school to witness the event.
“All of our students have been quite busy planning for this event,” Bachamp noted with just about two minutes to go until the ISS came into radio range of ground station NN1SS in Greenbelt, Maryland. She described students wearing NASA flight gear, holding models of shuttles, rockets and the ISS. Adorning the stage was huge banner reading, “Beam us up, NASA!” Other activities included space news, humor and even poetry, broadcast on the school’s low-power FM station, KFLR.
Responding to one youngster’s question, “Why do we want to explore space, and why not leave some mysteries stay mysteries?” Expedition 10 Commander Leroy Chiao, KE5BRW, said it’s human nature to be curious.
“And so we always want to know what’s on the other side of that mountain, and that’s what drives us, that’s what sets us apart as a species,” Chiao said. “We can explore space, and I don’t think we’ll ever fully understand it, so I don’t think we’ll have any problem still having some mysteries.”
Replying to other questions, Chiao said that although his and crewmate Salizhan Sharipov’s duty tour is winding down, the crew is still involved in some scientific research aboard the ISS, including a telemedicine experiment.
The ISS crew has been using an ultrasound device in space as part of an effort to enable physicians on Earth to diagnose health problems that might arise during long-term space ventures. Chiao also has been serving as NASA ISS Science Officer during Expedition 10. In all, the youngsters managed to get in 15 questions before the ISS went out of range of NN1SS.
Handling ground station duties at NN1SS was Dave Taylor, W8AAS, while ARISS Program Manager Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, moderated the event. The contact was arranged by ARISS with assistance at the school from Ota Lutz, KD5UQZ, of NASA’s Aerospace Education Services Program, Flory Principal Pam Hill and Bachamp.
Providing onsite engineering and other assistance were members of the Conejo Valley Amateur Radio Club, the Ventura County Amateur Radio Society and the Simi Settlers Amateur Radio Club. MCI donated a teleconferencing link to provide two-way audio between NN1SS and the school.
The Flory ARISS school group contact attracted media attention from at least three TV stations and two newspapers from the Los Angeles area.
ARISS http://www.rac.ca/ariss is an international educational outreach,with US participation by ARRL, AMSAT and NASA.