Expedition 8 crew commander Mike Foale, KB5UAC. [NASA Photo]
NEWINGTON, CT, Dec 5, 2003--Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, says a "very challenging schedule" kept the Expedition 8 crew from getting on the air November 29-30 for the ARISS Roy Neal, K6DUE, commemorative special event. Bauer says Crew Commander Mike Foale, KB5UAC, may attempt to be on the air from NA1SS on Saturday, December 6.
Expedition 8 crew commander Mike Foale, KB5UAC. [NASA Photo] |
"He requested that we make it clear that he would like to try again this weekend--on Saturday only--but not to get your hopes too high that he will be there," Bauer said. "He requested a single pass over North America and over Europe." Also onboard the ISS is cosmonaut Sasha Kaleri, U8MIR. Foale and Kaleri both were active on Amateur Radio during their tours of duty aboard the Russian Mir space station.
ARISS has
provided pass information (see sidebar) to NASA to communicate to the crew.
Bauer said ARISS put its list of passes in priority order starting with those offering
the greatest ground coverage. He noted, however, that the top-priority North
American pass occurs just about the time the crew typically retires for the
day. "So it is not clear if this is a viable pass," he added. "We included it
because it was a superior pass for North America."
 Expedition 8 flight engineer Sasha Kaleri, U8MIR. [NASA Photo] |
Among other
distractions last week was a peculiar "crushing" noise heard November 24 in the
Zvezda
Service Module--the crew's quarters. Another onboard problem involved what
Bauer called "serious issues" with the treadmill the crew uses to keep fit in
zero gravity.
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Bauer expressed hopes that the crew would be able to be on the air from NA1SS this weekend as part of a month-long special event in memory of Neal, who served as SAREX/ARISS Working Group Chairman. Neal died in August.
ARISS has requested that special event participants keep all contacts short to give as many stations as possible a chance to work NA1SS. Those contacting the ISS by voice (NA1SS) or packet (RS0ISS) through the end of December will be eligible for a special anniversary event certificate.
Bauer advised those working NA1SS for the event to not request a certificate until ARISS releases QSL instructions.
ARISS
is an international project with participation and support from ARRL, NASA and
AMSAT.
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