Archived Newsroom • Media Advisory |
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ITU radioamateur station 4U1ITU to facilitate radio contact with
International Space Station and Geneva school students
Aim to inspire students to seek careers in science and technology
Geneva, 15 September 2014 – The ITU
International Amateur Radio Club (IARC) 4U1ITU will establish a direct
radioamateur contact with the orbiting International Space Station (ISS) to
facilitate communication with students of the Institut Florimont school in
Geneva and astronauts on board. This radio contact is coordinated by the IARC
and Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), a non-profit
organization run by volunteers and amateur radio enthusiasts. ARISS has been
working with IARC and Institut Florimont students who have taken a keen interest
in amateur radiocommunications as well as in space exploration.
The radio contact with ISS will take place from the ITU
radioamateur station 4U1ITU during a flyby of the orbiter over Geneva on 17
September, starting at 10:17 CEST. ITU supports amateur radio activities within
its Radiocommunication Bureau and ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré is an
amateur radio operator (call sign HB9EHT).
Crew members of Expedition 40 currently on board
the space station are Flight Engineers Alexander Gerst, Maxim Suraev (KF5ONO)
and Reid Wiseman (KF5LKT). Astronaut Wiseman, using the ISS call sign OR4ISS,
will conduct the contact with the 4U1ITU amateur station and Institut Florimont
students.
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What:
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Amateur radio
direct contact with International Space Station and ITU 4U1ITU station and
Institut Florimont Geneva School
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When:
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17 September, 09:00 – 11:00
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Where:
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ITU Montbrillant Building and ITU Radio Club 4U1ITU, Rue Varembé,
Geneva
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Why:
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The ITU
International Amateur Radio Club 4U1ITU and the Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS), which has organized a direct contact for
students of the
Institut Florimontin Geneva
to call astronauts on the
International Space Station (ISS),
aims to inspire students around the world to pursue interests and careers in science,
technology, engineering and math through amateur radio communications
opportunities with the on-orbit
Students learn
about life on board the ISS and explore Earth from space through science and
math activities. ARISS provides opportunities for the school community
(students, teachers, families and community members) to become more aware of the
substantial benefits of human spaceflight and the exploration and discoveries
that occur on spaceflight journeys.
Students have the
opportunity to learn about space technologies and the technologies involved with
space communications through exploration of amateur radio.
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Who:
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Students in the 12-14 year age group from the Institut Florimont, Geneva, will
directly contact by amateur radio station 4U1ITU operated by Mr Nick Sinanis (SV3SJ) to
astronauts on the International Space Station during a flyby over Geneva
expected on 17 September at 10:17 CEST. The programme will include screening of
NASA films on the space station, visit to the ICT Discovery museum at ITU, and
interactive use of amateur radio equipment.
Mr Stéphane
Berthet, Secretary-General, University of Geneva and Vice-Chairman of the Swiss
Space Commission, Mr Attila Matas (OM1AM), IARC President, and Mr Herbert Aeby
(HB9BOU), Clin d’Ailes Museum (HB4FR), will make presentations.
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For more information please contact:
Sanjay Acharya,
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information
ITU |
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+41 22 730 5046 |
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+41 79 249 4861 |
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sanjay.acharya@itu.int |
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www.itu.int/facebook
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www.itu.int/twitter
About ITU...
About IARC
The International Amateur Radio Club (IARC) was created on 5 May1962 under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Secretary-General of ITU. The amateur radio station 4U1ITU is maintained by the IARC. This station is intended to serve as a model of amateur radio operation at its highest standard. life.itu.int/radioclub
About ARISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) was created and is managed by an international working group, including several countries in Europe as well as Japan, Russia, Canada, and the USA. The organization is run by volunteers from the national amateur radio organizations and the international AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) organizations from each country. Since ARISS is international in scope, the team coordinates locally with their respective space agency and as an international team through ARISS working group meetings, teleconferences and webinars.