Join the Educational Program “ARISS to Communicate with Astronauts via Ham Radio

To all elementary, middle, and high school students and teachers! This year, why not challenge yourselves with the theme of communicating with astronauts on the International Space Station, (ISS) via ham radio? The ISS, orbiting about 400 km above Earth, has been home to astronauts for over 20 years. ARISS, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station is an educational program that allows students worldwide to have a 10-minute voice communication with an astronaut on the ISS. Over 100 schools and organizations in Japan have participated in this program for last few years. Japanese students from Boy Scouts Sayama Second Group in Saitama, who participated in 2022, said, "We were truly moved when we connected with Kjell, NASA astronaut. It felt like space became very close to us." and “Learning about radio and space made me want to try using ham radio."

ARISS stands for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station. It is a program that allows students to communicate with astronauts on the ISS using their ham radio and ask various questions about space in English. Participating in ARISS helps enhance English communication skills, scientific thinking, and interests in space. Most importantly, directly talking to an astronaut in space becomes an unforgettable experience.

ARISS is managed by international space agencies*, amateur radio organizations, and educators in their countries. Many of those involved, including the astronauts, support the program as volunteers. ARISS is supported by international cooperation to promote space education, and celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
*NASA in the U.S., JAXA in Japan, Roscosmos in Russia, ESA in Europe, and CSA in Canada.

The ham radio used in ARISS is a form of personal radio communication enjoyed as a hobby. While modern communication methods like cellular phones and Wi-Fi are prevalent, ham radio represents the origin of radio communication. In Japan, it was so popular in the 1970s-1980s that it was called the "King of Hobbies," and it remains popular today. Ham radio is also known as an emergency communication tool during disasters. For instance, during the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, it served as a valuable means of communication in areas where public communication networks were disrupted.

When participating in ARISS, you can learn about the system of ham radio, which makes communication with astronauts possible. This is a great opportunity to understand the basics of essential modern communication through practical experience!

To participate in ARISS, schools or educational institutions need to submit an application. Please refer to the latter part of this article for details on how to apply. Cooperation from your school teachers is essential for submitting the application form. It needs to be understood that ARISS contacts are awarded to groups not individuals. Additionally, to establish ham radio communication, you need to set up radio equipment such as antennas at the communication site, and acquire both an operator's license and a radio station license. These preparations can be challenging for schools alone, so seeking support from someone in your community who holds a ham radio is necessary.

For the preparation phase before communicating with astronauts, it is recommended to research the astronauts' daily lives and experiments in space, present your findings, and share them with the ARISS participants. Preparing questions and practicing communicating in English during foreign language classes with the help of your teachers will also enhance your learning experience.

In Japan, ARISS contacts were held six times in 2021 and four times in 2022. In July 2022, Kitakokura Elementary School in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, celebrated its 50th anniversary with an ARISS event. Twenty participating students prepared questions, practiced English, and rehearsed for the event. The Kansai ARISS Project Team supported the ham radio technology, and the event was realized through the cooperation of the school and the local community. During the event, ham radio operators established communication as the ISS passed over Japan, allowing the students to ask questions to Astronaut Kjell on the ISS.

"When the communication ended, everyone in the gymnasium where the public viewing was held was smiling. Applause echoed, and the experience became a treasured memory not only for the 20 participants but for the entire Kitakokura Elementary School."
*Source: Kitakokura Elementary School in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture successfully communicated with the ISS

The student's questions covered a wide range of topics, including daily life, meals, exercise, and experiments on the ISS. For example, in response to the question, "How do you eat in space?" the astronaut explained in detail about space food and how they eat. To the question, "What is it like living in zero gravity?" the astronaut described the effects of zero gravity and how they cope with it.

Through ARISS, the children not only improved their interests in space and science and their English communication skills, but also learned the importance of teamwork by cooperating to make the event a success. The event was an unforgettable experience for the students, school staff, parents, and the local community.
Watch the event here

To participate in ARISS, your school or organization must submit an application form. For detailed application instructions, please visit the "4. How to Apply for School Contacts" section on the ARISS official website. While ARISS contacts are held weekly, due to the high volume of applications from schools worldwide, it may take several months to a year before your event can be scheduled.

Communicating with astronauts via radio is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Join ARISS with your school or community organization and deepen your interests in cutting-edge space and science technology. Maybe the next generation of astronauts will come from your school!

Source:
ARISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, ARISS
ARISS School Contact in Karasuyama, Japan
Kitakokura Elementary School in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture successfully communicated with the ISS