Report on Kugluktuk ARISS Event: October 3, 2017
Steve McFarlane, VE3TBD, provided the following report:
The ARISS contact with Kugluktuk High School in Kugluktuk, Nunavut was very successful with all 14 questions answered. There was time left for a brief exchange. 400 students and community present.
We did manage to receive the video feed from Claudio without issue. The video only consisted of Claudio's station but that in itself is a good thing to show. Grazie Claudio. As well, audio was very clear.
I sent my drone for a quick flyover the area but it sustained serious compass issues and I had difficulty flying correctly. Military personal on scene indicated to me they turn off GPS functions on their equipment. A couple of photographers on site were using mavic pro drones to take photos and video. These mavic pro drones also had compass issues but they manged to fly relatively well despite this issue. Kugluktuk, as previously indicated has copper all over the area. Chinese investors were very interested in mining this area but the requirements to build and maintain roads prevented them from proceeding at this time.
Thanks to the ARISS program and our sponsors (Makivik and First Air), we were able to be on scene and to take advantage of this incredible experience. To be able to say you were there talking to the space station and meeting these incredible people, both locals and others visiting the area, for me, is over the top.
Thanks again to the operational team including those critically important people online during this event.
- Claudio Arriotti (and team): Ground Station IK1SLD
- Brian Jackson, VE6JBJ: Moderator
- Kenneth Ransom
The ARISS team returned home very tired but forever grateful for this incredible opportunity. Teacher Lori McFarlane, Technical support Shamil Deus, Media relations Ron Ralph; and I (VE3TBD) made up the small team on this occasion.
ARISS Contact on October 3: Kugluktuk High School in Kugluktuk, Nunavut
The following news item provides information about an upcoming ARISS contact on October 3:
An International Space Station (ISS) school contact has been planned with students at Kugluktuk High School in Kugluktuk, Nunavut.
A telebridge contact via Ground Station IK1SLD, Italy is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3 at 15:32:57 UTC 30 deg (9:32 am local time in Kugluktuk). It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds.
The contact will be a telebridge between IR0ISS and IK1SLD. The contact should be audible over Italy and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English.
The scheduled astronaut is Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA, who is shown on the left in the following photo.
Ground Station Coordinates:
IK1SLD Italy: Lat. 45.1152N Long. 8.4523E Elev. 118m
Ground Station: IK1SLD, Claudio Ariotti, Bridge. # +39 0142 50362, Mob. # +39 340 2581520
Moderator: Brian Jackson, VE6JBJ, in Calgary, Alberta.
Mentor: Steve McFarlane, VE3TBD, on site in Kugluktuk, Nunavut as of Monday, October 2.
Kugluktuk is situated at the confluence of the Coppermine River and the Coronation Gulf. The hamlet has a population of approximately 1600 people; JHI KHS serve over 400 fabulous students from K to 12.
‘Kugluk’ is the Innunaqtun word for 'fast moving water’, ‘tuk’ means 'place of’. The Copper Inuit have survived and thrived in this area for generations. We are located at latitude 67º 50’ N and longitude 115º 06’ W.
Being 142 kilommetres north of the Arctic Circle means that the sun does not rise for 34 days in the winter and does not set for more than a month after May 28 in the summer. We are a fascinating people who live in a dynamic environment characterized by extreme variations!”
Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows:
1. How much longer will the space station be in operation?
2. The next space station is planned for a moon orbit; why a moon orbit?
3. What is the longest we can stay in space given the present technology on the ISS?
4. Are there any plans to build gravity modules for the space station and will this allow us to stay longer in space?
5. What is the greatest challenge facing you on the space station?
6. What is the most important qualification or attribute one can have to seek out a career involving work in space?
7. What long-term impacts occur to those who stay in space for long periods, if any?
8. What is daily life like on the space station – do you follow a schedule?
9. Did you change your diet in preparation for space life or can you eat most of the same foods?
10. What are the impacts of zero gravity on overall digestive function?
11. Besides humans, what other life forms do you have on board?
12. How long can the space station last in orbit without any rocket boost to maintain its orbit?
13. Do you ever fly over the Arctic and what does that look like from up there?
14. Does space look different from where you are?
Background information:
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States and other international space agencies and international Amateur Radio organizations around the world.
The primary purpose of ARISS is to organize scheduled contacts via Amateur Radio between crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced volunteers from Amateur Radio clubs and coordination from the ARISS team, the ISS crew members speak directly with large group audiences in a variety of public forums such as school assemblies, science centers and museums, Scout camporees, jamborees and space camps, where students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies and Amateur Radio.
ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, the Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA and CSA, with the AMSAT and International Amateur Radio Union organizations from participating countries.
ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crew members onboard the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, firsthand, how Amateur Radio and crew members on the International Space Station can energize youth and instill an interest in science, technology, and learning.
Further information on the ARISS program is available on their website and on Facebook at "Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)". To receive Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status.
Source: Ian MacFarquhar, VE9IM, RAC ARISS Board Representative
Upcoming Contacts: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)