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AMSAT VP for Human Spaceflight Programs explains operations onboard the ISS

Discussion in 'Amateur Radio News' started by G4TUT/SK2022, Apr 24, 2019.

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  1. G4TUT/SK2022

    G4TUT/SK2022 Ham Member QRZ Page

    AMSAT VP for Human Spaceflight Programs explains operations onboard the ISS

    As a result of the recent SSTV event onboard the ISS, a large number of questions arose. The questions mainly centered on the crew's ability to troubleshoot equipment and make adjustments to the station.

    Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS International Chair and AMSAT VP for Human Spaceflight Programs posted a thorough explanation of how Amateur Radio fits into the operation of the ISS and the astronauts ability to service and operate it.

    Frank says, "Please remember that ARISS is not the prime activity on ISS. There are over 300 international experiments currently operational on ISS on this expedition. I just heard in a tele-conference last week that that number will go to about 500 experiments in the next 1-2 years.

    "Because of the vast number of experiments going on at the same time, we can only occasionally get suggestions to the crew to make changes to our payload. Any work arounds on any experiment/payload will compete with the crew's already fully booked schedule.

    Several ARISS team members, particularly our teammate in Russia, were out of pocket this past weekend. Our Russian colleague was informed of the issue early-on and acknowledged the issue. But he also needs to get tied into Mission Control. That is difficult from afar. And even if we ask for a change, it is challenging to get the crew time to make this happen. Especially if it is outside the flight planning stage.

    "Once we have the Interoperable Radio System on ISS, we plan to augment our radio system with a ground commandable capability. We have already developed a concept for this capability. Once in place, we will be able to do many things with our radio without crew intervention, including mode changes to support SSTV, APRS, Voice Repeater, etc..
    This capability will also be important if we fly ham radio on the Lunar Gateway, which will not have crew on it 24/7.

    "Please note that to keep ARISS alive and implementing new capabilities requires a great deal of funding. As an example, ARISS currently has two individuals on travel to NASA Johnson running tests for the interoperable radio system. This is one of three travel trips required to get the radio system ready for flight. Each one of these trips will cost ARISS about $3000 in travel--- nearly $10,000 for these three testing events.

    Also, this past week, we spent $1,100 to transport the HamTV that was returned from ISS back to Italy to undergo troubleshooting to potentially repair the anomaly we experienced on ISS.

    "We have a Fundrazr activity right now to prepare the Interoperable Radio System for Launch. We need $150,000 by the end of this year and are well short of our goal right now. If you really want to see improvements in the ISS radio system from where it is today, please strongly consider donating to ARISS. Push the donate button at www.ariss.org. You can donate at several levels and even a little at a time on a monthly basis. At some donation levels, your callsign and name will be included on the interoperable radio system that will fly to ISS!

    "Thanks for all your interest and support to ARISS. I hope this helps explain a little about what is happening on ISS."

    Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
    ARISS International Chair and AMSAT VP for Human Spaceflight Programs

    ANS

    http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/april/operations-onboard-the-iss.htm

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  2. W0PV

    W0PV Ham Member QRZ Page

    AMSAT always has its hand out for funding but this seemingly extravagant expense as stated doesn't pass the smell test. How does the shipment of a little blue box get blown so out of proportion cost-wise? It calls into suspicion management of all AMSAT finances.

    Donations do not always have to take the form of cash. I would be willing to bet every week there are many radio amateurs traveling for business or pleasure to Italy that would be capable and willing to chaperon an item like this in cheeked baggage and deliver it for pick up or directly.
     

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