Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment Space Shuttle Mission STS-76 Background for the Classroom This information is provided by: THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE (ARRL) Educational Activities Department (EAD) 225 Main Street Newington CT 06111-1494 USA Telephone: (860) 594-0301 FAX: (860) 594-0259 Internet: sarex@arrl.org ARRL BBS: (860) 594-0306 CompuServe: 70007,3373 Prodigy: PTYS02A America Online: HQARRL1 World Wide Web: http://www.arrl.org/ Mission Number: STS (Shuttle Transport System) - 76 Launch Date: March 21, 1996 Length of Mission: 9 days Vehicle: The Space Shuttle Atlantis Altitude: 196-245 miles Orbital Period: 90 minutes Crew: (name, title, Amateur Radio call sign) Kevin P. Chilton, Commander Richard A. Searfoss, Pilot, KC5CKM Shannon W. Lucid, Mission Specialist, call sign To Be Determined Linda M. Godwin, Mission Specialist, N5RAX Michael R. Clifford, Mission Specialist Ronald M. Sega, Mission Specialist, KC5ETH Mission Objectives: THIRD MIR DOCKING MISSION The Space Shuttle Atlantis makes its third trip to the Russian Space Station Mir. The shuttle will dock with, and resupply, the Mir complex. The shuttle/Mir dockings are a precursor to building the International Space Station. The dockings have enabled the astronauts to simulate construction techniques which will be used to assemble the Space Station, and test proximity and docking operations. In-space assembly of the Space Station will begin in late 1997. A total of 9 shuttle-to-Mir docking missions are planned. Investigations in microgravity and life sciences will also be conducted throughout the STS-76 flight. SHUTTLE AMATEUR RADIO EXPERIMENT The STS-76 crew will take on the role of teacher as they educate students about mission objectives. Using a shuttle radio tuned to Amateur Radio frequencies, the astronauts will discuss with students what it is like to live and work in space. The project is called the Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX). The crew has scheduled radio contacts with student groups from New Mexico, Texas, New York, and Colorado. The astronauts will also make random radio contacts with the Amateur Radio community (hams) and personal radio contacts with their own families. Ideas for the Classroom VOCABULARY Read about the mission objectives for STS-76. Then, define the following vocabulary words: resupply, simulate, techniques, assemble, proximity, Investigations, microgravity, frequencies INTRODUCTION TO THE WORLD WIDE WEB Students with access to the "Information Superhighway," and specifically the World Wide Web, should try this activity: Explore NASA's World Wide Web Page 1) Students work in teams of two or three. Using a computer with a Web browser, go to the following location (or URL): http://www.nasa.gov 2) Use the various links (or hyperlinks) to find information about the STS-76 shuttle mission. Record the location (or URL) of the following Web pages: a) STS-76 Press Kit b) STS-76 Mission Patch c) STS-76 astronaut Linda Godwin's biography 3) Explore these other Web sites: a) http://www.arrl.org/ b) http://www.amsat.org Introduction to SAREX Objectives: Learn to track space shuttles using computer software. Eavesdrop on the astronauts. 1) Tracking the Shuttle Imagine tracking the space shuttle in your classroom. A number of computer software programs are available for doing this. You may electronically download tracking software called STSORBIT PLUS from the NASA Spacelink computer information system. Spacelink is used by educators all over the world. The only cost in accessing Spacelink is the telephone call from your school, or charges by your local Internet provider. The direct dial modem is (205) 895-0028 or via Internet at the following address: spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov. NASA Spacelink also has many other exciting educator materials and resources. Or, you may prefer to purchase tracking software from the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). Call (205) 895-0028 or write to AMSAT, 850 Sligo Avenue, Suite 600, Silver Spring, MD 20910-4703 for current prices and details. 2) Eavesdropping on Shuttle Transmissions Certain Amateur Radio stations around the US will retransmit shuttle-to- ground audio, so that your students may listen in on the daily work routine of the astronauts during a shuttle mission. You may use a common short wave radio to pick up these radio signals. Listen for the Goddard Amateur Radio Club, WA3NAN, in Greenbelt, MD on 3.86, 7.185, 14.295, 21.395, and 28.65 megahertz (MHz) and in the Maryland/DC-area on 147.45 MHz (FM). If you are able to track the path of the shuttle over your location, you may be able to hear SAREX signals directly. During mission STS-76, listen for the astronauts on 145.84 MHz (do not transmit on this frequency--they won't be listening there). For more information on making a SAREX contact, see the SAREX Bulletin. Feedback Thanks to all of the teachers who have responded to our Evaluation Forms. Here's what we've learned from you: * "The SAREX info package was most informative and used to back up our environmental studies." -Salway Ash School, Dorset England. * "I specifically liked the vocabulary which makes students more aware of technology, geography, math, etc." - Ririe Elementary, Idaho. * "As a language teacher (English) SAREX helps me a lot to motivate the students." - Lycee Gaston Febus, France. * "(SAREX is) used across disciplines from K to 5." - Watson Elementary School, Arkansas. * "We track each shuttle in class and monitor activities via Amateur Radio during class." - South Seminole Middle School, Florida. * "I specifically liked the (astronaut) biographies. SAREX added another dimension to our school. We plan to use materials supplied to us regarding future missions as an adjunct to our program." - Renfroe Middle School, Georgia. * "The practical application of the activities in regards to a current event sparked students interest." - Educational Service District 101, Young Astronauts, Washington. * "Students learned through direct contact and became excited about what they had learned after talking with astronauts." - Buist Academy, South Carolina. * "(The student) motivation is super when we use the ham radio station to listen to the astronauts." - Maple Grove Education Cenre, Nova Scotia. * "I use SAREX as an opening into physical science and inquiring about complex systems." - Orono Middle School, Maine. * "SAREX is the only activity which strongly motivates school students noticed by us so far." - Little Lillys English School, India. American Radio Relay League STS76LSN.TXT RJI 3/1/96