ISS Crewmembers Use Ham Radio to Talk With People on Earth

One way that the crews aboard the International Space Station keep in touch with people on Earth is by amateur, or ham, radio. All three Expedition Six crewmembers are ham operators, and make contact with ham operators on Earth during their spare time. The group that was formed to design, build and operate ham equipment on the station is the Amateur Radio on International Space Station, or ARISS, organization.

One recent contact occurred Feb. 27 when NASA ISS Science Officer Don Pettit talked with 16 students at the Hochwald Gymnasium (High School) Wadern DL0WR in Saarland, Germany. The contact was part of an amateur radio exam for the students. During the contact with the station, Pettit and the students talked about life aboard the station.

Click here to learn more about amateur radio on the International Space Station.