Rabea Rogge LB9NJ / KD3AID – Photo credit DLR
Astronaut and radio amateur, Rabea Rogge LB9NJ / KD3AID, will be transmitting amateur radio Slow Scan TV images from space during the SpaceX Fram2 mission, planned for March. It will be the first polar-orbit human spaceflight mission to explore Earth.
The International Space Station will be simulating the Fram2 SSTV mode PD-120 transmissions from February 13-17 on 437.550 MHz FM to enable people to gain proficiency in receiving the signals bafore the mission.
The Chair of ARISS International posted:
The ARISS international team is planning an SSTV event to help all participating to be as proficient as possible in acquiring images from Fram2Ham and submitting them in the SSTV gallery. Like previous SSTV events, ARISS will provide special commemorative certificates for those who upload images to the gallery. Certificates will be delivered after the completion of both the Fram2 simulation event and the Fram2 mission.
SSTV Simulation details:
Hardware: ARISS radio transmitter set to low power (5 watts vs. 25 watts for previous SSTV events). This is to simulate the challenges and unknowns of a new radio system on a Dragon capsule that might be in an unfavorable attitude in some parts of the mission flight path.
Operations Frequency: 437.550 MHz FM. Using the SSTV (public downlink) planned for Fram2Ham, ground users can practice the more challenging 70 cm Doppler correction.
SSTV Mode: PD120. The longer image capture for this simulation (120 seconds, vs. 36 seconds for Fram2Ham’s Robot 36 SSTV mode) will allow ground users to hone their signal polarization switching skills (manually and electronically) as well as precise antenna pointing.
Operations Duration: February 13 (World Radio Day) to February 17, 2025. This long duration, over a weekend, will allow users multiple passes to practice, learn lessons, make corrections, and try again.
Summary:
There are several challenges like low transmit power, variations of antenna orientation, and a short, 3-day mission duration, with only a limited time assigned for the SSTV operation. These challenges require operating proficiency and the use of the best attainable radio station and this simulation shall give the possibility to exercise this. Are you up for the challenge? 
Upload your received pictures to https/ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/
For more information on the Fram2 mission and for youth organizations interested in participating in the Fram2Ham SSTV competition, see
First human Spaceflight to Earth’s polar regions
Fram2Ham on Discord
Competition details wp-content/uploads/2025/02/amapay_user_manual-ver-2-7-2025.pdf
Follow Rabea on X
Follow ARISS on X
Follow AMSAT-UK on X