Contact with the International Space Station and Doctor Robert Thirsk on September 28,2009
We at the Calgary Space Workers (CSW) have enjoyed our involvment with the "Amateur Radio on the International Space Station" (ARRIS). We were proud to have supplied the equipment and assisted in the setup with these brilliant amateur radio enthusiasts.
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| Dr Robert Thirsk talking to Elementary Students with the help of the Calgary Space Workers Society (CSW) and the Radio Club known as Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) |
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| Calgary Space Workers and ARISS talking to Dr Robert Thirsk and the ISS |
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| Calgary Space Workers and ARISS talking to Robert Thirsk and the ISS |
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| Calgary Space Workers and ARISS talking to Robert Thirsk and the ISS |
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Hi Team,
I have been in contact with Wayne, VE1WPH and we now have a official
date and time for the RT Alderman ISS contact. It was our #4th choice
that was picked.
Date: Mon 28 Sept 09
20:43:33 - 20:53:26 - UTC Time
14:43:33 14:53:26 - Local Time
Elevation - 76 Degrees
Since this is not the 'latest in the day' pass, from our submitted
choices, it gives us more breathing room after the contact to
disassemble the antennas, etc. and get home at a reasonable time.
Please acknowledge you received this e-mail so I know that the entire
team has received this memo.
Thanks!
Ken Oelke - VE6AFO
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Hi ARISS Team!
WOW....look what Brian Jackson received from Bob Thirsk,
(NA1SS). Now - how often do you get an e-mail from an Astronaut,
shortly after (7:24 PM)talking with him on 2 metres? This is so cool,
and again you guys and gals helped pull off an awesome event for the
Kids.
I am attaching a copy of the picture Bob sent to Brian - however - I
have reduced the file size to 476 KB from a 6.5 MB file. Luckily, I
can use the work computer/high speed network to send such a large
file. If any of you want the large file (with this one, you can read
the sheet of paper Bob is holding in his hand), let me know and I can
send it to you. Or - I have it on my memory stick and you can get it
from me if you bring a stick to Glenmore. We can use Lindsay's
computer to do the tranfer. As Bob and Brian said - please DO NOT
circulate this photo (family is okay) until he gets permission from
CSA. We do not want to taint the trust Bob has put in us by sending
this photo.
When Bob comes to Calgary, I am sure he will be busy visiting with
family but, wouldn't it be cool if the ARISS-2009 Team could get
together with him over a coffee? Knowing Bob - I know he would go out
of his way to have the ARISS Team have a photo shoot with him. It
certainly is something to think about.
So Team - thank you for all your efforts toward the first of two
contacts. Anyone who has connections with the weather gods - maybe you
could get them to stall the rain, sleet, snow AND wind for Oct. 3rd
set-up!!
73,
Ken Oelke - VE6AFO
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Here is the message from Bob- we are still awaiting CSA approval for
the picture so please ask people to hold tight to it for now. The
image is VERY large.
Brian
JSC-Bob 28/09/2009 7:24 pm >>>
Hi Brian Clark! I greatly enjoyed the ARISS pass with R.T. Alderman
School students. Their questions were very thoughtful.
Hi Brian Jackson! Thanks for helping with the technical aspects of
this pass. I understand that I was not clearly heard at the beginning
of the pass. Did the quality improve as the Station approached Calgary?
Attached is a photo for you. Please don't widely distribute it until
the CSA has officially sent it to you. I also videotaped myself
during the ARISS contact with the RT Alderman students. Let me know
if you would like a copy of the tape in the near term. Otherwise I
will give it to you when I hopefully visit Calgary in the new year.
I left a special beacon message on the ISS radio for you. Please try
to read it in the next few hours.
Here are my responses to the questions that I did not have time to answer.
15. Erin (Gr.7), What is the distance from Earth that you orbit, and
does this vary?
The International Space Station orbits the Earth at 350 km. Due to
atmospheric drag (very slight), the altitude of our orbit decreases
gradually over time. Therefore every few months, the Station must be
reboosted to 350 km by its own engines or the rocket engines of the
Progress vehicle or space shuttle.
16. Sewa (Gr.8), Do members of the crew typically gain or lose weight
during the 6 month mission and does that effect your preparations
before you leave?
A few crewmembers lose weight; a few gain weight. But most of us
maintain a weight that is just a few kilograms less than our normal
Earth-weight. Prior to flight, we exercise vigorously and fine-tune
our diets to build as much muscle mass as possible.
17. Kimberly (Gr.9), What physical and emotional stressors do you experience?
Weightlessness is the biggest physical stressor. It results in
deconditioning of our heart, bones and muscles. Living in
weightlessness for six months is like lying in bed for a long period.
Our bodies lose conditioning.
Separation from family and friends is the biggest emotional stressor.
We are able to talk to our loved ones via phone and email, but we
still miss them.
18. Kennedy (Gr.9), What is required to prepare for a 6 month mission
in space?
Two-and-a-half years of training is required to prepare for a six
month expedition aboard the ISS. Our training program requires that
we travel to Russia, Europe, Japan, Houston and Montreal for training.
We learn how to operate the systems, experiments and emergency
equipment aboard the Station.
19. Carolyn (Gr.9), Have there been any experiments in space where the
outcome surprised you?
On my first spaceflight, we were surprised to learn that calcium
begins to leave our bones immediately (within two hours) of arriving
in space. We had not thought that bone demineralization would start
so quickly. We now do exercises in space and take a special
medication that will hopefully prevent this loss of calcium.
Thanks to the students and staff for the time and effort they put into
this ARISS contact. I realize that a lot of preparatory work and
coordination was required.
All the best.
Bob Thirsk
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Hi ARISS Team,
This is an update to what has been happening since the announcement of
our 2 upcoming ISS school contacts. The first ISS contact will take
place at RT Alderman and the second at Glenmore Christian Academy.
First - we need to locate (2) 3 legged tripods. Does anyone remember
who supplied these for the last ISS contacts? I can get one tripod. As
well - we need some weights (sand bags, cinder blocks, etc.) to hold
these tripods down.
The antennas have been located. I have the one for the AZ/EL primary
system and Brian has the Egg Beater for the secondary system.
1. Brian Jackson and I will be doing a site survey on September 9th or
10th at both RT Alderman and Glenmore Christian Academy. Once this is
completed I will update everyone as to what we will be up against
installation wise.
2. We will be borrowing the Alfaspid rotor and Kenwood TS-2000 from
the Calgary Space Workers Society. We thank the Calgary Space Workers
Society for these!
This is the same rotor we used for the 2005-2006 schools contacts. The
Kenwood TS-2000 will be in addition to the Icom IC 910 that we used
before. It is very likely Andy Webb, VE6EN will NOT be available with
his Kenwood TS-2000 for he is waiting an impending transfer to the UK.
3. Mitch Mitchel, VE6OH, of Alfa Radio, will be bringing down a couple
runs of 1/2" hardline this weekend for our use. It is quite likely
Gerry MacDonald, VE6QLT can supply some coax, however, I have not
heard back from Gerry. Maybe he is gone on vacation? So - I am trying
to cover off Murphy - just in case.
4. After the site survey is done - we need to round up all equipment
and begin installation (at RT Alderman - 725 Mapleton Drive SE) on the
weekend of either September 12-13 or 19-20. September 26th is out for
many of us for it is the QCWA Wild Rose Chapter 151 Luncheon meeting.
So we best get started early to make sure Murphy isn't given any
opportunity to lurk in dark corners, given the ISS contact will be
taking place on the week of September 28th - October 2nd. We believe
the actual day for the ISS contact will be sometime mid week (Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday??) If you are part of the "radio team" for the ISS
contact - let your employer know now the possibly of these days.
If you have not yet responded to my earlier e-mail to let me know if
you will be available for set up and the actual day of the ISS contact
- please do so by replying to this e-mail.
Thank you!
73,
Ken Oelke - VE6AFO
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