| |
W4DPH > SAT 02.03.03 13:31l 61 Lines 2570 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS-061.05
Read: DB0FHN GUEST
Subj: ARISS Contact with Japanese School First Since Columbia Trag
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<DB0MRW<DB0SIF<DB0AIS<DB0WST<DB0ACH<DB0OVN<DB0GOS<ON0AR<
ON0AR<WB0TAX<W4DPH
Sent: 030302/1117Z @:W4DPH.#TPA.FL.USA.NOAM #:48724 [CLW] FBB $:ANS-061.05
From: W4DPH@W4DPH.#TPA.FL.USA.NOAM
To : SAT@AMSAT
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 061.05 From AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD. March 2, 2003
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-061.05
Pupils at an elementary school in Japan have been the first youngsters
to speak to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station since
the shuttle Columbia tragedy. The contact took place February 18
between 8N3HES at the Hirano Elementary School and astronaut Don
Pettit, KD5MDT, at the controls of NA1SS. The direct 2-meter contact
was arranged by the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) program, which has been on hold since the shuttle catastrophe.
No one asked any questions about the Columbia tragedy during the
approximately 10-minute contact that was marred by some communication
difficulty. An audience of approximately 180 people--essentially the
entire school plus several reporters--was on hand for the ARISS
contact. Pettit managed to answer eight of the nine questions put to
him by the fifth and sixth graders
One student wanted to know what Pettit would bring with him if he had
to live in space for the rest of his life. "I would hope to bring my
whole family," Pettit responded. "I would bring my wife and my children
and we would live in space together."
Because of the Columbia disaster, the mission of the Expedition 6 crew
members already has been extended until at least June. It had been
scheduled to end next month.
Other students asked questions relating to everyday life aboard the
space station, including how the crew gets rid of its trash. Pettit
explained that after putting the trash into airtight bags, it's loaded
on an empty Progress cargo supply rocket and sent back into Earth's
atmosphere. "It's the ultimate means of recycling your garbage," he
said.
Pettit told the youngsters that it's "nice and warm" aboard the space
station--about 22 degrees Centigrade--but that the crew could set the
temperature to whatever they desired.
One student asked what the crew would do if someone became ill.
"Fortunately no one has become sick on our mission, so we haven't had
to worry about that," Pettit replied. He said that in the case of
sickness among the crew, the crew would contact flight surgeons on
Earth to get advice. He also explained that the crew has a medical kit
on board for those kinds of situation.
The Hirano Elementary School is in Kobe, Japan. The school opened in
1876.
An ARISS contact with students at Oregon State University is scheduled
for February 21.
[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information.]
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
