Shannon Walker KD5DXB
An ARISS educational school contact is planned between astronaut Shannon Walker KD5DXB on the International Space Station and students at Athlone Community College, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
The contact is scheduled on Monday, December 7, 2020, at approximately 2:50 PM (1450 GMT, 1550 CET) with the link to the ISS operated by the amateur radio ground station EI1ISS.
The ISS FM downlink signal will be audible across the British Isles and Europe on 145.800 MHz +/-3.5 kHz Doppler shift. Those who do not have an amateur radio receiver or are in a different part of the world will still be able to receive the signal from space by using either of these online WebSDR radios:
Goonhilly: https://vhf-goonhilly.batc.org.uk/
Farnham: http://farnham-sdr.com/
Click on the FM mode button, and enter 145800 into the “kHz” frequency box.
It is understood the event will also be live streamed, for URL check https://twitter.com/ACCspacecall
Shannon Walker was selected by NASA to be an astronaut in 2004. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics, a Master of Science and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Space Physics from Rice University. Walker began her professional career at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in 1987 as a Robotics Flight Controller for the Space Shuttle Program. In 2010, she served as Flight Engineer for Expedition 24/25, a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station that lasted 163 days. Walker served as mission specialist on the Crew-1 SpaceX Crew Dragon, named Resilience, which launched November 15, 2020. She is currently serving as Flight Engineer on the International Space Station for Expedition 64.
Athlone Community College information:
Athlone, situated in the centre of Ireland, is the largest town on the River Shannon. Athlone Community College is a second-level school which has 1200 students aged between 12 and 18 from a diverse range of backgrounds, both rural and urban.
Our school motto is “by teaching we learn”. Mathematics, Science and Engineering subjects occupy a special place in the school curriculum. The school’s staff and teachers are proudly committed to students fulfilling their potential in a welcoming and friendly environment.
The school has an active sporting programme which includes Rugby Football, Gaelic Football, Athletics and Golf while the Arts are catered for by a school Orchestra and Choir.
Our students have enjoyed studying the ISS and the space programme. We really appreciate the crew fitting our school into their busy schedule. Thank you! It will be a memorable experience for us all here.
Students First Names and Questions:
1. Roisín (16): Did you enjoy the launch into space?
2. Tristan (16): Tell us something about current experiments on the ISS?
3. Seán (14): What is your favourite area in the ISS?
4. Shauna (16): What activities do you do in your spare time?
5. Cillian (12): What is the most interesting thing you have seen on Earth from the space station?
6. Michelle (16): What evidence of climate change can you see from space?
7. John (16): How many years of training does it take to become an astronaut?
8. Patrick (16): Where does the ISS get its energy from?
9. Zayna (16): What happens if you are in a space suit and your nose becomes really itchy?
10. Kian (16): When you return home what will you miss most about the ISS?
11. Roisín (16): What was the most difficult challenge you had to overcome during training?
12. Tristan (16): When you first saw the earth from space what was your reaction?
13. Seán (14): Has something useful on earth come from space experiments?
14. Shauna (16): Are your muscles weak when you return from micro gravity?
15. Cillian (12): If there was a manned mission to Mars would you consider going?
16. Michelle (16): Will it ever be feasible to travel to another solar system?
17. John (16): How do you keep fit with the low gravity in space?
18. Patrick (16) Does your sense of taste and smell change in space?
19. Zanyna (16): While on the ISS are you able to communicate with family?
20. Kian (16): When did you decide you wanted to become an astronaut – from a young age or did your interest develop at a later age?
Athlone Community College
http://www.athlonecc.ie/athlone-community-college-link-international-space-station/
https://www.facebook.com/1545707655495475/photos/a.1545729618826612/3626284060771147
https://twitter.com/ccathlone
About ARISS:
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see https://www.ariss.org/
The International Space Station crossband FM repeater should remain active until after the Field Day weekend of June 26-27.
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