Update: New Zealand Schools – December 2007
Two New Zealand schools have joined the ARISS program; they are St Teresa’s Catholic school in Featherston, and The Wairarapa Home Schooling Association. Both these schools are patiently awaiting their turn.
Unfortunately the astronaut’s are very busy with ISS modifications at present and ARISS contacts have been suspended until early 2008.
A small group of dedicated Amateur’s world wide have run the ARISS program since 2001, which is sponsored by NASA, ARRL, and AMSAT to give students and young people a chance to speak live with the crew on board the International Space Station as it circles 370 kilometres above the earth at a speed 27,000 kph.
NZART has received an invitation to join this program and is enthusiastic about this activity, the project will be part of the recruitment process to encourage new Amateurs and perhaps a career in radio and electronics.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our branches to become involved in a project that includes your local school, Scout group, Amateur Radio and the International Space Station.
Many schools around the world have taken part in this project with a great deal of success. Can your branch appoint a spokesperson to explore the interest at your local school, and or scout group.
It is a Science and Technology Education program with community and Amateur Radio participation. An ideal way to promote Amateur Radio.
At present ARISS is arranging one to two contacts most weeks world wide. There are exceptions, the ISS is not available when there is a crew change, Extra Vehicular Activity or visits with the space shuttle to name a few. There is a waiting period of some months at present, but there is no time like the present to “test the water” for interest.
At the time of writing, 306 schools world wide have had Amateur Radio contacts with astronauts on the International Space Station. The contact period can last from about 5 to 15 Minutes, pupils generate there own questions to ask the astronauts as the ISS moves across the sky.
A Coordinator for New Zealand has been appointed and is well on the way planning for future school contacts, he is Peter Norden ZL2SJ. Peter is able to advise interested people, clubs, schools, how to go about registering for an ARISS contact here in New Zealand.
The official web page for ARISS is, http://www.rac.ca/ariss
ARISS-ZL coordinator
write to the Callbook address ZL2SJ or Phone 06 308 6970.
