Skylab and Space Shuttle Astronaut and First Amateur in Space: Owen Garriott, W5LFL
Scientist-Astronaut-Amateur Owen K. Garriott, W5LFL, science pilot of the Skylab 3 mission, is stationed at the Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) console in the Multiple Docking Adapter of the Skylab space station in Earth orbit. From this console the astronauts actively control the ATM solar physics telescope. (sl3-108-1288) – Credits: NASA
Special SSTV Event begins tomorrow August 1
ARISS has organized a special SSTV event to commemorate the life and accomplishments of astronaut, scientist and Amateur Radio pioneer Owen Garriott, W5LFL.
The SSTV event will feature images from Garriott’s work with Amateur Radio during his missions in space.
This event is currently scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 1 at 09:40 UTC and ends at 18:15 UTC on Sunday, August 4. Please make note that the content of these upcoming SSTV transmissions may change.
Transmissions will be sent at 145.800 MHz FM in the SSTV mode PD-120. Once received, images can be posted and viewed by the public at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php and you can receive a special SSTV ARISS Award for posting your image.
ARISS SSTV Award Rules
To obtain this award one should receive and decode at least one picture in the session. The quality of the received image does not have to be perfect, but it must be good enough to identify it. The picture does not have to be complete and it is acceptable to send a partial picture.
The award is in an electronic format (PNG) and will be sent by email.
An application form and complete information on how to participate in the event including can be found at:
https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/
ARISS has also added a new information tab for SSTV events, under the General Contacts pulldown menu on its main website and it will direct you to the ARISS-SSTV Images webpage:
Background Information:
The following news item is courtesy of AMSAT:
April 17, 2019 – Frank Bauer, KA3HDO
ARISS International Chair
AMSAT VP for Human Spaceflight Programs
It is with great sadness that the ARISS team recognizes the passing of our great friend and colleague Astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL (SK). Owen Garriott died at his home in Huntsville, Alabama on April 15, 2019.
A passionate Amateur Radio operator and ionospheric physics researcher, Owen inspired the Amateur Radio community to reach for the stars. His multi-decade vision to bring Amateur Radio with him as part of his journey in space was realized in 1983 on the STS-9 Space Shuttle Columbia mission, where hams the world over for the first time heard a fellow ham call CQ from space.
As the first to operate Amateur Radio in space, Owen blazed a trail that has enabled countless people from around the world to experience what it is like to journey into space and explore our universe. As a result, he inspired the international Amateur Radio community to extend his modest ham station on STS-9 into an international human spaceflight ham radio program that has spanned the Space Shuttle, Mir Space Station, and International Space Station.
About ARISS
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.