SSTV tests planned from ISS, school contacts set for German astronaut
(Jul 26, 2006 [REVISED Jul 28, 2006 10:20 ET])
-- The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program reports that ISS Expedition 13 Commander Pavel Vinogradov, RV3BS, has set up a camera to use for slow-scan television (SSTV) from the ISS. Vinogradov plans to soon test the system over Moscow on 144.49 MHz -- perhaps as early as this weekend -- and radio amateurs within range are encouraged to receive the SSTV images. For now, the SSTV system will only be used to transmit. Due to various issues with 144.49 MHz in Europe, the European and US ARISS teams will be recommending frequencies for use over other countries. Responding to a request from the European Space Agency (ESA), ARISS has scheduled school group contacts at three ESA-organized events for new Expedition 13 astronaut Thomas Reiter, DF4TR (photo). The Greek Minister of Education asked for a QSO with Reiter during the ESA Space Camp in Greece July 29. This is expected to be a major event, with the minister asking an interview question, and Greek national TV covering the occasion. A QSO with visitors at the Museum of the Swiss Air Force is set for September 22, while a contact with visitors to Germany's Mannheim Museum has been rescheduled for November 20, during Expedition 14. Reiter, the first German astronaut to be a part of an ISS crew, likely will use the space station's German call sign, DP0ISS.
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