Amateur Radio on ISS switches to Ericsson after Kenwood problems

ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space StationAfter experiencing issues with the Kenwood D700 on two consecutive school contacts, ARISS will use the Ericsson radio on the Columbus module for ARISS contacts until problems with D700 are resolved.

According to Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT’s Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs, “…for some reason, our signals from the Service Module Kenwood D700 radio are much diminished.  Our contact with Israel last Sunday [February 3]  had low audio levels, with good signals only near TCA.  Our contact [February 8] with the Hospital for Sick Children was even worse.  Only one student was able to talk to Chris Hadfield [VA3OOG] before we lost the signal.”

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ISS Plasma Thrust Shadow-Beacon Experiment Feb 1-3 and 8-10

International Space Station ISS with shuttle Endeavour 2011-05-23It is understood that the ISS amateur radio SpEx Shadow-Beacon experiment is planned to take place February 1-3 and 8-10. The timetable is here.

The Central Research Institute of Machine Building (TSNIIMASH) in Russia is conducting a series of space plasma experiments in order to evaluate the shape of previously observed “dead” zone, or shadowing due to the firing of an onboard arcjet plasma source.

Radio Amateurs are invited to participate in the Space plasma experiment “Shadow” onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

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Mission confirmed: UK’s Sarah Brightman to blast off to space

Private Spacefarer Sarah Brightman Undergoes Medical Tests

The Space Adventures agency has confirmed that Phantom of the Opera star Sarah Brightman has signed an agreement with the Russian Space Agency and secured herself a space trip in 2015.

Brightman will become the next private spacefarer to the ISS following Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte who traveled into space in 2009.

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Mission confirmed: UK's Sarah Brightman to blast off to space

Private Spacefarer Sarah Brightman Undergoes Medical Tests

The Space Adventures agency has confirmed that Phantom of the Opera star Sarah Brightman has signed an agreement with the Russian Space Agency and secured herself a space trip in 2015.

Brightman will become the next private spacefarer to the ISS following Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte who traveled into space in 2009.

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Video – ARISSat-1 Operational Survey Results

ARISSat-1

ARISSat-1

This video from the ARRL/TAPR DCC in Atlanta produced by Gary Pearce KN4AQ of HamRadioNow shows the presentation given by Steve Bible N7HPR in which he reviews a survey showing just how hams and non-hams (primarily teachers) participated in the ARISSat / KEDR project (the follow-up to SuitSat, without the suit).

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International Space Station Research Competition Workshop Video

In this video Mike Johnson of NanoRacks gives an overview of the NanoLab Experiment to the group assembled for the International Space Station Research Competition Workshop Friday, October 5, 2012 at the Florida Solar Energy Center.

Space Florida and NanoRacks have partnered to provide a Competition in which up to 8 Winners will have an opportunity to fly their payloads to the International Space Station (ISS) and have scientific research conducted on board the U.S. National Lab. It is intended that the winning payloads will fly on a SpaceX Falcon 9 inside the Dragon spacecraft, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

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