Astronauts Work on Columbus Lab on the ISS
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station complex are focusing on getting the new Columbus lab up and running. Columbus, the laboratory built by the European Space Agency (ESA) and host of two Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) antennas, was launched into space on February 7 aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, arriving three days later. According to NASA, Columbus' activation process has been running a little behind because of computer problems, but flight directors believe they've fixed the glitch.
In 2007, the ARISS antennas successfully passed electrical and SWR tests, with one of the two antennas, Antenna 42, going through a final test -- a thermal test under vacuum. Columbus will house an additional Amateur Radio station, as well as a ham radio transponder. The yet-to-be-built Columbus amateur gear will facilitate operation on new frequencies that will make it possible for ARISS to establish wideband and video operations for the first time and allow continuous transponder operation.
According to ARRL ARISS Program Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, "The ARISS-Europe Team has been holding meetings to determine what the ARISS International Team should have for a station in the Columbus module. The Europeans will need to begin fundraising for the multiple sets of equipment, such as the on-orbit equipment, the required back-up on-orbit equipment and the test equipment. Some portions of the equipment system can be purchased, but much of it would need to be built. Once the team purchases or builds the equipment. Next comes the special testing for space and getting the equipment certified (probably by ESA) and finally manifesting the system for launch. All of that will take many months and help from ARISS volunteers from many countries."
The mission, STS-122, brought seven astronauts to the ISS: Commander Stephen N. Frick, KD5DZC; Pilot Alan G. Poindexter; Mission Specialist Rex J. Walheim; Mission Specialist Stanley G. Love; Mission Specialist Leland D. Melvin; Mission Specialist Hans Schlegel, DG1KIH, of Germany, and Mission Specialist/Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Léopold Eyharts, KE5FNO, of France. Flight Engineer Dan Tani, KD5DXE, already on board the ISS, will depart when Atlantis returns to Earth; Eyharts will stay behind on the ISS and take his place.
Atlantis will remain at the ISS until February 18, making for a 13-day flight; touchdown is set for February 20.
Page last modified: 09:25 AM, 19 Feb 2008 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
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